Ten-man Durban City secured the final spot in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals after beating Golden Arrows 5-4 on penalties on Sunday afternoon at the King Zwelithini Stadium.
Arrows made three changes to the line-up that started against Mamelodi Sundowns in the previous match, with Eduard Maova, Siphesihle Msomi, and Sabelo Sithole replacing Thakasani Mbanjwa, Siboniso Madonsela, and Angelo Van Rooi. Meanwhile, Pitso Dladla made only one change, bringing in Athini Jodwana in place of Haashim Domingo.
In the early stages of the match, both teams were cautious as they settled into the game, with a few opportunities at both ends. The hosts, Abafana Bes’thende, began asserting themselves by putting the visitors under pressure in search of an early goal.
Mngqithi’s troops created a few opportunities but were unable to capitalise and find the back of the net early on. A few times, the Citizens made some threatening forward movements as they looked to break the deadlock.
In the 36th minute, Fezile Gcaba found the back of the net from inside the box after being set up by Saziso Magawana to give Durban City the lead. The score remained 1-0 in favour of the away side at half-time.
Durban City returned stronger in the second half, carrying greater momentum and looking dangerous whenever they went forward as they searched for a second goal. But Arrows couldn’t back down as they started growing confidence, moments later, in search of an equaliser.
Abafana Bes’thende found the equaliser in the 59th minute through Thokozani Khumalo, who finished off a cross from Ayabulela Maxwele to bring them back into the match. Thereafter, it was an end-to-end staff with both teams looking to steal the match ahead of the end of the second half.
In the 78th minute, Durban City were reduced to ten men after key midfielder Athini Jodwana was shown a second yellow card, leaving the field for an early shower. After that, Arrows kept knocking on the door in an attempt to capitalise on their numerical advantage, but they missed a few big chances.
With neither team able to find a winner in regulation time, the match went into extra time. In the first half of extra time, it was Arrows who kept coming, exerting pressure on the opponents, who looked pinned back after losing a man. The match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes as both sides couldn’t rattle the back of the net, with City coming out victorious in the penalty shootouts.
Pitso Dladla’s troops join Casric Stars, Milford FC, and TS Galaxy in the semi-finals, with the draw scheduled for Monday, 9 March at 8:30 pm on SuperSport PSL.
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