The talk about penalties at Kaizer Chiefs is getting louder by the day. With Amakhosi set to face Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout Cup semi-final, fans are already asking one big question: who takes the kicks if the game goes to a shootout?

The debate started after Sunday’s quarter-final against Siwelele. Chiefs came from behind to win 2-1, but Mduduzi Shabalala missed the first penalty when he blazed it over the bar. Later, Wandile Duba stepped up and scored from the spot to level the scores before Asanele Velebayi grabbed the late winner. That missed kick has not gone away.

Club legend Itumeleng Khune has spoken clearly on the matter. Speaking after the game, the former Chiefs goalkeeper said Duba should have taken both penalties. He pointed out that Duba is high on confidence after his hat-trick against TS Galaxy, while Shabalala’s form has been quieter. Khune praised Shabalala for handing the second kick to Duba, but he still believes the first one should never have been his.

Coach Fernando Da Cruz sees it differently. He has backed Shabalala in public and reminded everyone that even top players miss penalties in big games. Da Cruz says there is no fixed list of takers at the club. Instead, the players on the pitch decide who steps up, based on how they feel in the moment. He stressed that one miss does not mean a player is finished as a penalty taker, and that the most important thing is for someone to take responsibility.

Now the focus turns to the semi-final against Sundowns. These two sides have produced tight games before, and a penalty shootout is not impossible. Chiefs fans are already naming their preferred five takers if it goes the distance. Some want the confident Duba first, others still trust Shabalala, while a few names from the wider squad are also being mentioned in the discussions.

With so much at stake and two strong opinions from Khune and Da Cruz, the choice of takers could decide whether Chiefs reach the final or go home early. The conversation is far from over.

Source: https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2120145378594980054?a=f_LVqQhFFPmzdUX1I10&s=19