Kaizer Chiefs won the Cultural Urban Festival Africa (Cufa) Cup, defeating Marumo Gallants 4-3 on penalties in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
The Cufa Cup, which replaced the Macufe Cup, is the Chiefs’ first silverware of the season under coach Nasreddine Nabi.
The game ended goalless after 90 minutes of play, and the teams went straight to penalties.
AmaKhosi goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma stopped Gallants’ fourth and fifth penalties to give his team the victory.
CUFA Cup between Kaizer Chiefs and Marumo Gallants now underway at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein. In attendance is Minister Gayton McKenzie and Deputy Minister Peace Mabe
“Re a Cufasela” #CUFAFestival #CUFA2024 pic.twitter.com/xIO2KNvcvw
— Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (@SportArtsCultur) October 13, 2024
Though Bvuma will be remembered as Chiefs’ hero, the organisers may deserve praise for allowing the match to go place.
Prior to the 3pm kick-off, the match had been saved from doubt because Gallants appeared to be absent. Gallants issued a statement on Saturday indicating that it was unable to confirm its participation.
“Marumo Gallants FC would like to advise its supporters and fans that it is unable to confirm its participation in the CUFA CUP game against Kaizer Chiefs FC on the 13th of October 2024 due to a contractual dispute with the organizers,” read the statement.
“Marumo Gallants FC shall advise accordingly should the dispute be resolved on time to confirm participation.”
On Sunday morning though, organisers of the fixture had a last-ditch meeting to rescue the match.
“The CUFA Cup match between Marumo Gallants and Kaizer Chiefs will take place as planned,” the organisers said.
“This follows the meeting that took place on Sunday morning to resolve the concerns raised by Marumo Gallants. We are delighted that a resolution was reached on time and the supporters will enjoy the match at 3pm,” they concluded.
Chiefs are next in action in the Telkom Knockout against SuperSport United on Saturday.
