Goalkeeper Darren Keet made three penalty saves to help Durban City FC beat Chippa United 3-2 on penalties to advance to the Nedbank Cup last 16.
The game had ended scoreless after 90 minutes and extra time.
The first half saw Durban City dominating the goal scoring chances, but unable to get on the score-sheet.
The first chance took only a minute to arrive as Letsie Koapeng played a square ball across the box for the oncoming Fezile Gcaba, who side-footed just wide.
A few minutes later Saziso Magawana combined nicely with Koapeng on the edge of the area and drilled a powerful shot towards the bottom corner, only to be denied by a fine diving save from Chippa keeper Dumisani Msibi.
At the other end, Keet was also called into action a couple of times and did well to keep the Chilli Boys off the scoresheet.
More opportunities arose for the hosts ahead of the interval, but the breakthrough remained elusive as Gcaba’s header was saved by Msibi before Magawana missed the target with a 42nd minute effort.
The Citizens continued to play some enterprising football after the restart and had a chance in the 52nd minute when Thabo Nodada and Brooklyn Poggenpoel combined neatly before setting up Koapeng, but on the turn, he dragged a low left-footed shot inches wide of the far post.
After that, chances remained at a premium for both teams, until the 88th minute, when City earned a free kick right on the edge of the 18-yard area after Ronaldo Maarman was fouled. But the free kick, taken by Maarman himself, was skied over the bar.
Moments later, Sphiwe Mahlangu challenged bravely with Msibi after Kyle Jurgens had crossed into the box, but he was just unable to get his header on target.
To extra time the up tie went, the home supporters’ band going strong up in the stands.
After the first half of the extra period had yielded some cagey football, things burst to life in the second stanza as the Citizens created chance after chance.
But once more the goal eluded them as Maarman shot wide from inside the box and had a back-heeled attempt cleared off the line, while Haashim Domingo’s low drive was saved by Msibi.
Next up was penalties and it didn’t start well as Domingo pulled his spot kick wide.
Drama followed as Xolani Sithole smashed the woodwork for Chippa and then Keet saved from both Malebogo Modise and Madigwane.
But Durban City also struggled as both Luphumlo Sifumba and Jurgens struck the bar as well.
But then after Liam de Kock had cooly slotted home his penalty (to add to Poggenpoel and Mahlangu’s converted kicks), Keet made another brilliant diving save to keep out Harold Majadibodu’s spot kick.
Leave a Reply