Casric Stars’ Zebulon Ntokozo Mtshweni scored the sudden-death winning penalty to send Orlando Pirates crashing out of the Nedbank Cup last 16 showdown.
The Sea Robbers dominated large spells of possession in normal time, pushing Casric Stars deep into their own half, but clear-cut chances were at a premium as the Motsepe Foundation Championship side defended with structure and discipline.
Orlando Pirates increased the tempo after the break and began committing more numbers forward, yet the final pass or finish often let them down at crucial moments.
ORLANDO PIRATES AND CASRIC STARS LEVEL AFTER 120 MINUTES
The closest Orlando Pirates came to breaking the deadlock arrived in the 89th minute when Tshepang Moremi struck the crossbar, sending a massive gasp around the stadium.
Casric Stars, meanwhile, showed great composure and absorbed pressure for long spells. Goalkeeper Wandile Mthombeni pulled key saves under pressure, while defenders put bodies on the line to keep the score level.
Extra time followed a similar script, with Orlando Pirates pushing desperately for a winner and Casric continuing to frustrate. It forced the contest into a penalty shootout to decide who advances to the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup.
PENALTY KICKS
Orlando Pirates captain Nkosinathi Sibisi failed to hit the target for the first spot kick of the game, before Mpho Chabatsane missed the Buccaneers’ second, while Casric Stars’ Mfundo Thikazi and Manqoba Ozoemena also missed.
In sudden death, Yanela Mbutuma found the net before Siphosethu Meveni shot Casric level. Nkosikhona Ndaba’s subsequent miss allowed Zebulon Ntokozo Mtshweni to hit home the winner.
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