14 February 2019, by: Thabang Kgeledi

5 WAYS MAGIC FC CAN BEAT KAIZER CHIEFS IN THE NEDBANK CUP 

Soweto Giants Kaizer Chiefs meet ABC Motsepe League club Magic FC in a Nedbank Cup Last 16 encounter on Sunday. The odds are stacked against the minnows but, Amakhosi have chinks in their armour that they can expose.

Next Kaizer Chiefs Match

Magic FC vs. Kaizer Chiefs
Sunday 17 February 2019
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
15h00

Tickets are on sale at Ticketpro, CNA, Spar, Edgars outlets: https://t.co/WA8zK9lrGi#NedbankCup #HailTheChief #Amakhosi4Life pic.twitter.com/1lT7yKQ0Fz

— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) February 13, 2019

Kaizer Chiefs meet Magic FC in the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Magic FC is a Cape-based team playing in the SAFA 2nd Division which doesn’t have a Wikipedia page. Kaizer Chiefs are a massive club with the most supporters in South African football who will, on occasion, vandalise a stadium. The players of Magic FC earn an average of R2,000 a month and the ABC Motsepe League club’s overall monthly budget sits at around R120,000 a month. Kaizer Chiefs have several players who have Gucci bags that cost as much as Magic FC’s budget (see Instagram for proof). This should be a walkover for Kaizer Chiefs, right? Wrong. The Nedbank Cup has served up major upsets in the past. Remember in 2013 when Free State ABC Motsepe League side Maluti FET College thumped Orlando Pirates 4-1? or in 2009 Pretoria University beat Kaizer Chiefs 4-3 in the Nedbank Cup last 16?

That’s the beauty of the Nedbank Cup – anything can happen. Magic FC have a chance to beat Kaizer Chiefs and here are five ways they can do it.

Since Itumeleng Khune sustained a shoulder injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season, Kaizer Chiefs have had a goalkeeping issue. Virgil ‘Butter Fingers’ Vries’ mistakes cost Amakhosi points. They signed Nigerian goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi from Chippa United in January. He played his first game against Orlando Pirates and performed well but, Pirates’ 2 shots on target is small sample size.

OFFICIAL: Daniel Akpeyi joins Kaizer Chiefs from Chippa United. Nigerian goalkeeper signs 17-month contract with South African side. pic.twitter.com/MMfZDXOY3P
— Jollof Sports (@JollofSports) January 31, 2019

Daniel Akpeyi is an average keeper who prone to errors. Magic FC should make it a point to test his handling with set pieces, crosses, and shots. The law of averages says he is bound to make at least one mistake.

Kaizer Chiefs goals come through the centre of the pitch. Billiat, Kaizer Chiefs’ best attacker, when playing on the wing, likes cutting in and combing with Parker and Castro.

Magic FC should put as many bodies as they can in the middle of the field. Let Amakhosi have the ball out of the wings. Chiefs players on the flanks don’t like to cross the ball and, their fullbacks can’t cross the ball.

Even if a good delivery is played into the area, Castro is the only Kaizer Chiefs player with any heading ability.

Bernard Parker, at the ripe old age of 32, had a monster game against Orlando Pirates. He was my man of the match (not Ben ‘I-literally-didn’t-see-him-for-90-minutes’ Motshwari). He ran the most kilometres (9.66 km) and was influential.

Bernard Parker, aged 32, covered 9.66 km in the #SowetoDerby — significantly more than any other Kaizer Chiefs player. He was truly immense today. James Milner-like commitment, although Parker is a more attacking player.

— Leonard Solms (@LeonSolms) February 9, 2019

Bernard Parker, at the ripe old age of 32, had a monster game against Orlando Pirates. He was my man of the match (not Ben ‘I-literally-didn’t-see-him-for-90-minutes’ Motshwari). He ran the most kilometres (9.66 km) and was influential.

Keep him quiet, and you stifle Kaizer Chief’s creativity. Parker doesn’t play inspired football every game (because he is old) but, when he does, he is a problem. Magic FC should task one of their young midfielders to keep tabs on Parker. They shouldn’t allow him any space to turn, run, and pick a pass.

If your team has less talent than your opponents, the counter-attack strategy must be employed. If Magic FC defend well and play on the quick transition, they will get plenty of goal scoring opportunities.

Kaizer Chiefs’ weakness is the defending on their flanks. When attacking the Chiefs’ fullbacks will support their front players. This leaves space for Magic FC attackers to exploit. Even when in good defending positions, their fullbacks don’t look like they can stop any winger that is worth their R2000.00 salary.

I wouldn’t bet a cent on Magic FC winning against Kaizer Chiefs because a) Kaizer are the better team b) Kaizer Chiefs have the better players and c) this article may not reach The Magic FC coach David Kannemeyer in time.

However, as Sir Bobby Robson once said after an upset result “We didn’t underestimate them. They were a lot better than we thought.” Kaizer Chiefs could underestimate their opponents. A steady defence a good counter-attack will definitely lead to goal scoring opportunities, the only question is will they take them?

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