Milford FC shocked Sekhukhune United to book their place in this season’s semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup with 2-1 win over a stubborn Motsepe Foundation Championship side Miflord FC at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sartuday evening.
Lehlohonolo Mojela and Olerato Mandi scored for Sekhukhune after Milford’s Cheswyn Philander had opened the scoring. However, it was Sibulele Mekuto’s goal in the 116th minute that forced penalties.
After Bradley Gobler, Shaune Mogaila and Thabang Monare missed their spot-kicks, Milford beat Babina Noko 3-2 to follow Casric Stars into the semi-finals.
It was the visitors who struck first through Philander in the third minute. Sekhukhune missed an opportunity to respond six minutes later from Tshepo Mashiloane whose shot went wide.
However, Mojela equalised two minutes later with his second goal of the tournament. The home side had numerous chances to double their lead but were let down by their final touch.
Bright Ndlovu shot over the bar inside 20 minutes while Bulelani Gomoshe also missed a chance to regain the lead for Miflord. Thato Khiba enjoyed a wonderful solo run five minutes after the half hour mark but his final touch was an easy save for the Milford goalkeeper.
Both sides returned from the break unchanged. Babina Noko continued to dominate possession and were almost rewarded three minutes into the stanza when Thabang Monare set-up Vusimuzi Mncube whose long range shot was saved by Siphamandla Hleza.
There was another chance for the home side to go ahead from a Mashiloane corner kick which found substitute Bradely Grobler in the box but the latter missed the target.
Keletso Makgalwa was also denied by the keeper in the 85th minute after stricking from a free-kick which was tipped out for a corner and subsequently they could not score from the corner as Vuyo Letlapa was denied on the goal line leaving the game to go to extra time.
Sekhukhune were again wasteful in the extended period with Grobler, Olerato Mandi and Letlapa missing their chances. Makgalwa also came close but Hleza deneid him.
It was Mandi who found the back of the net early in the second half of extra time and it looked like Sekhukhune had sealed victory and progression to the last four round, but Mekuto struck back with a powerful header to become the hero.
