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Royal AM pip Chiefs to Macufe Cup title

Royal AM secured the 2022 Macufe Cup in their first appearance after defeating Kaizer Chiefs on penalties at the Toyota Free State Stadium.

Chiefs gave run-outs to Brandon Peterson, Siyabonga Ngezana, Cole Alexander and Happy Mashiane notably, while AM started former Chiefs man Samir Nurkovic for the first time this season.

There weren't any huge amount of end-to-end action inside the first 20 minutes, as the two sides first looked to work each other out from a defensive and offensive point of view.

The quiet spell from the Soweto giants as well Thwihli Thwahla continued well into the half, with the Amakhosi missing key in attack due to national call-ups.

Royal AM were forced to make a change in the first half, as Shane Roberts was forced off with an injury and replaced by Ruzaigh Gamildien.

The visitors were quiet going forward, but they did carve out an opening just before the break when Happy Mashiane did well to pick out Duba, who was unable to steer his header on target.

Royal AM were fortunate not to go ahead midway in the second half when Jabulani Ncobeni curled a loose ball from a low pass on the cusp of the area wide of target.

A lapse of concentration proved the Amakhosi's undoing in the last four minutes, as Ruzaigh Gamildien slipped in behind and steered home a well-weighted defence-splitting pass.

With club chairman Andile Mpisane introduced by Royal AM in time added on, Chiefs levelled soon after when Dolly curled a free-kick into the top corner and sent the match to a penalty shoot-out.

Thwihli Thwahla proved decisive in the shoot-out after Chiefs missed twice through Dolly and Thabo Mokoena and handed AM the cup.

Confirmed line-ups:

Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen, Frosler, Ngezana, Mathoho, Dove, Alexander, Nange, Nk. Ngcobo, Mashiane, Dolly , Duba

Subs: Bvuma, Nj. Ngcobo, Dube, Mokwena, Zwane, Radebe, Mahlatsi

Royal AM: Ngcobo, Mabuza, Lingwati, Shezi, Skakane, Dlamini, Godfred, Roberts, Ndlovu, Potsane, Nurkovic.

Subs: Mpoto, Msomi, Mzila, Mpisane, Gamildien, Sera, Ncobeni, George, Masuku

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