Kaizer Chiefs starlet Wandile Duba reveals Lucas Suarez was the ‘weak link’ they targeted and the plan paid off in their Nedbank Cup semi-final ambush of Mamelodi Sundowns - 'We knew that he would make that type of mistake'

Kaizer Chiefs booked their place in the Nedbank Cup final after defeating Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in a dramatic clash.

This marked Amakhosi’s first win over Masandawana in four encounters this season.

Sundowns struck first through a Teboho Mokoena free kick, but a costly error by Lucas Suarez allowed Wandile Duba to pounce and level the score.

Duba, who was later named Man of the Match, revealed that Suarez was specifically targeted in their tactical preparations.

The young forward said the mistake was anticipated from training analysis.

He also spoke with pride about reaching the final, saying it's a dream come true for someone who once played on dusty grounds.

The win was sweet revenge for coach Nasreddine Nabi, who finally tasted victory over Sundowns.

“We knew that he would make that type of mistake, the plan was to force him to play that inside pass as he always does, Lucas Suarez was our target,” said Duba confidently speaking to the media.

“The coach just told us that we must not put pressure on ourselves, we must relax. I don’t think they created many chances; they got the free kick and scored. We were motivated a lot, we were playing Sundowns, a team that had beaten us three times this season. There was no way they were going to beat us for the fourth time.

“It took us two days to analyse their build-up and progression. The coach told us not to focus on what the media is saying, the people who criticise you are the same people who love you. They will always talk whether you’re doing good or bad, so we had to just focus on the game. I’m happy that we were 100% focused and won this game.

“It means a lot, it has been ten years since Chiefs played in a cup final. To us, we are going to the final to give 100%. I was still playing in the dusty grounds as a young boy, I never thought I’d play professional football. This means a lot to me,” Duba added.

Nabi reiterated that the club is still in a rebuilding phase and asked for patience, noting that real progress will take two to three years.

Despite the process, he emphasized their intention to compete for every trophy along the way.

Reaching the final offers a big opportunity for silverware, something Amakhosi fans have craved for a decade.

A win could inject belief and much-needed momentum into their long-term project.

For Nabi, lifting the Nedbank Cup would mark a pivotal moment in restoring the club’s prestige.

Chiefs return to league action against Chippa United in a crucial clash.

Both teams are in the hunt for a top-eight finish and will be eager to collect maximum points.