A last-minute extra time goal forOrlando Pirates meant that Durban City were on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline after Saturday’s MTN8 quarter-final encounter at the Orlando Amstel Arena.
The visiting side put up an heroic showing as they battled bravely for over an hour with a man short after Brooklyn Poggenpoel sending off, coming from a goal down to force extra time, only to suffer a killer blow right at the death.
The opening exchanges were evenly balanced as Durban City FC held their own against the hosts, enjoying some good ball possession and time in the opposition half.
The first opening was indeed to fall the way of the Citizens – after Pirates managed to scramble the ball clear of their box, Tylo Sanger arrived with purpose, making good contact with the ball on the volley, his shot not far away from catching out goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
Pirates had their first clear effort on goal in the 20th minute when Thalente Mbatha picked up a loose ball 30-yards out and smashed in a scorching drive, which was brilliantly tipped over the post by Frederick Asare.
Chances were then exchanged as Yanela Mbuthuma failed to steer a backpost volley on target for Orlando Pirates before Jean Lwamba Lubamba sprinted clear down the right flank for City before hitting a 25-yard snap-shot marginally wide.
The complexion of the game was however to change in the 35th minute when the Soweto side were awarded a penalty after Poggenpoel’s challenge on Tshepang Moremi, also resulting in the Durban City midfielder being sent off.
Patrick Maswanganyi was to make no mistake from the spot as he coolly slotted home a left-footed kick inside the left-hand upright in the 37th minute.
To their credit, the City players kept their composure in the face of the setback and having made it into the halftime interval, came out and played with renewed vigour in the second half.
And their endeavour was rewarded in the 52nd minute through a lovely-worked move as Bandile Shandu slipped in Gaston Sirino inside the right side of the box. Sirino’s low cutback was perfect for Lwamba, who nipped in front of Chaine to convert at the near post from six-yards out.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the KwaZulu-Natal side continued to take the game to the Buccaneers, finding some crisp passing and good rhythm when going forward.
However, the pressure was to increase from Pirates as the game passed the 75 minute mark, with Asare making some key saves, including attempts by Maswanganyi and Moremi.
City though were to hold firm until the end of regulation time, thanks to some committed and fully-focussed defending, including a fantastic last-gasp challenge from the skipper, Siphamandla Ncanana.
To extra time the game went, with the visitors continuing to keep Bucs at bay with some gutsy defending.
Indeed, neither side were able to carve out any openings as the match went into the second half of extra time. That is until the late moment of heartbreak for the Citizens as Ghampani Lungu smashed home a volley into the top corner of the net, following a flick-on from a corner kick in the 120th minute.
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