AmaKhosi captain for the day, the Portuguese-born Angolan international Inacio Miguel, slipped the ball past Stellenbosch keeper Sage Stephens to open the scoring for Chiefs.
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The near-capacity crowd at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium rose to acclaim Kaizer Chiefs' extraordinary 3-1 win over Stellenbosch FC in the Nedbank Cup quarter-final in Gqeberha on Saturday evening.
For several days now, Chiefs were reminded that this competition remains the club's last hope of silverware this season and although they played their hearts out, lady luck smiled on them during this Gqeberha dog-fight.
The outcome means Chiefs will advance to the semi-final round and their under-fire coach Nabi Nasreddine another chance to salvage a difficult campaign.
It turned out to be a first half of high drama after Chiefs opened the scoring with an 18th-minute penalty. Referee Sikhumbuzo Gasa penalised Stellenbosch's Ivorian defender Ismaël Touré for handling the ball as he lunged to clear a goalmouth crosskick.
Rather importantly, Touré was not shown a card which was a stroke of luck because he could have landed in big trouble later in the match.
The penalty raised an almighty cheer from the hordes of Chiefs fans.
However, the stadium really erupted when AmaKhosi captain for the day, the Portuguese-born Angolan international Inacio Miguel, slipped the ball past Stellenbosch keeper Sage Stephens (1-0).
The lead was a just reward for Chiefs' attempts to take the game to Stellenbosch but although they enjoyed a period of ascendency, there was plenty of huffing and puffing but very little in the way of clear-cut chances.
Stellenbosch were consigned to a defensive role and they sprung several break-out plays from deep options that Chiefs battled to contain.
Their pacy transition plays down the flanks, particularly in the right channels where midfielder Devin Titus constantly posed a threat with his dribbling skills.
Towards the end of the first half, Stellenbosch's short-passing game gave them a fair degree of penetration. Their pressure led to two free-kicks a few strides from the opposition penalty area. However, nothing came of the set pieces because of Stellenbosch's lacklustre efforts.
In the final five minutes of the first half, tensions reached boiling point. Four yellow cards were awarded in the space of five minutes.The offenders were Congolese striker Makabi Lilepo, Given Msimango (both Chiefs), Toure, Sihle Nduli and Thato Khiba (all Stellenbosch).
In the final minute of first-half stoppage time, Stellenbosch striker Ashley Cupido watched his effort whistling narrowly past the upright, allowing Chiefs to retain their slender 1-0 lead.
When second-half play kicked off, Stellenbosch showed a greater sense of urgency, and their efforts stifled Chiefs' grip on the match.
Chiefs no longer enjoyed greater possession and Stellenbosch's fighting spirit made for a rousing contest that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats.
Around the hour mark, both sides made a clutch of changes. Chiefs were looking to shore up their defence and Stellenbosch needed to capitalise on the few chances that emerged when they managed final third entries.
One of those changes saw New Zealander Andre de Jong introduced in the Stellenbosch and four minutes ahead of regular time, he snatched the equaliser with a deft header from a corner kick.
Just when extra time play beckoned, Chiefs snatched a controversial goal by Pule Mmodi following a corner, and moments later, Mfundo Vilakazi broke away to land the final nail in the Stellenbosch coffin for the 3-1 win.