Milford claims rare victory over Kaizer Chiefs in South African FA Cup

PRETORIA – Kaizer Chiefs’ quest to end a nine-season trophy drought took a devastating blow on Sunday as they were sensationally knocked out of the South African FA Cup by second-tier side Milford in a dramatic penalty shootout.

The first-round match at Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium ended in a goalless draw after extra time, leading to a tense penalty shootout where Milford emerged victorious with a 5-4 win.

Milford’s goalkeeper, S’phamandla Hleza, emerged as the hero of the match, saving a crucial penalty during extra time and then converting the winning penalty in the shootout.

Despite their lowly position in the national second division, with just five wins in 19 matches, Milford executed their game plan to perfection.

“We were able to plan thoroughly for Chiefs because we watch them on TV every week. We concentrated on our style, which is to play from the back,” Hleza explained to reporters after the match.

The shocking defeat adds further pressure on caretaker coach Cavin Johnson, as Chiefs have now been eliminated from all three knockout competitions this season, twice in the first round.

Kaizer Chiefs, a club with a storied history and a record 53 domestic trophies since its inception in 1970, find themselves trailing league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by 14 points as they enter the second half of the season, having played two games more.

Despite their recent struggles, Kaizer Chiefs remain the most popular football club in the country, ahead of arch rivals Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, according to surveys among supporters.

The unexpected loss to Milford serves as a wake-up call for the Chiefs, who now face a daunting task in regaining their form and challenging for honors in the remaining matches of the season.