Durban City’s fine run in the Nedbank Cup continued with a 5-4 penalty win over Golden Arrows in a Nedbank Cup quarter-final clash at the King Zwelethini Stadium on Sunday evening.
The KwaZulu-Natal derby had ended 1-1 after extra time, City playing over 40 minutes with 10 men after a red card.
City started the brighter of the two sides and had the opening chance, through Samkelo Maseko, whose 12th minute header from the edge of the big box went straight at goalkeeper Edward Maova.
The Citizens drew first blood by scoring in the 36th minute through Fezile Gcaba, who coolly controlled a square ball from Sasizo Magawana before smashing in a left-footed volley.
Magawana had himself been set free on the right flank by a beautifully disguised pass from Siphamandla Ncanana.
However, Abafana bes’Thende were back on even terms on the hour mark after substitute Thokozani Khumalo snuck into the box to direct a clinical downward header into the net.
Things went from bad to worse for the visiting club when a second yellow card for Athini Jodwana saw the hard-working central midfielder leaving the action with 11 minutes of regulation time to play.
A couple of minutes later there was an escape for the Citizens when Khumalo failed to hit the target with the goal at his mercy.
There was more pressure on the Durban City rearguard as Arrows upped their attacking efforts, but some committed defending – including a smart reflex save from Darren Keet and a brave block from Gcaba, kept the scoreline even.
After the Citizens failed to capitalize on a late counter attack, the tie went to extra time.
Keet was to keep Durban City in the tie with two brilliant reflex saves towards the end of the first half of extra time, the first to keep out a curling effort from Ayabulela Maxwele, the second a stunning diving save to tip Isaac Cisse’s thunderous shot onto the crossbar.
The penalty shoot-out saw both keepers making a save before Arrows’ sixth spot-kick rebounded off the post.
Thabo Nodada, Sphiwe Mahlangu, Emmanuel Jalai and Mfanafuthi Mkhize all netted from the spot for the team in blue.
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