Pule Mmodi and George Matlou inspire Kaizer Chiefs to the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 to join Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns after outplaying 10-man Free Agents

Pule Mmodi got at the end of a long goal kick from Bruce Bvuma to beat Free Agents goalkeeper Ugonna Igidimba and hand Kaizer Chefs the lead after 18 minutes.

Eight minutes later, Mmodi was back and this time finished a slick pass from Wandile Duba to make life difficult for Free Agents who were formed in 2018.

The Soweto giants then deflated their third-division opponents when defender Inacio Miguel headed in to make it 3-0 for Chiefs in the 62nd minute.

As Free Agents protested that Miguel had scored from an offside position, they were brought to a man down when Saheed Adebayo was red-carded.

Some shambolic marking by Free Sgents defenders allowed an unmarked Ranga Chivaviro to score Chiefs fourth goal with seven minutes to full time and that assured security for Amakhosi.

It was an important victory for Chiefs who have been eliminated from this competition by lower-division sides seven times before.

For a player who has been struggling for a regular starting place this season, Mmodi made a big statement to coach Nasreddine Nabi.

Mmodi's double could make it difficult for Nabi to ignore him in the upcoming matches.

Facing an inconsistent team, Free Agents went into this match fancying their chances of progressing to the next round.

But coach Olatain Oladeru and his men fell short and were defeated convincingly.

Sunday's win was a big boost for Chiefs who head into the Soweto Derby against arch-rivals Orlando Pirates next Saturday.

It was what coach Nasreddine Nabi and his men needed as the Tunisian returns to the dugout for his first Soweto Derby after being suspended for two matches.