Durban City advance to Nedbank Cup quarters after low scoring shootout

Upington City and Durban City required penalties to separate them in their Nedbank Cup Round of 16 assignment, with the latter winning 2-0 from the spot-kick at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium on Saturday.

The game commenced at a timid pace in Upington with both teams cautious in finding their passing rhythm early on. While Durban City recorded their first attempt at goal in the 19th minute, Upington City striker Siyabonga Mtombeni found himself through on goal following a deft turn on his opponent before a second defender neutralized him.

Neither side created any clear-cut scoring opportunities leading up to the midway point of the first-half as they battled for supremacy in the middle of the park.

The likes of Sphiwe Mahlangu and Bokang Mokwena attempted to breathe life into the game for Durban City with the 40th minute looming, however, Upington stood their ground, particularly through Shane Saralina who completed a couple of key interceptions in his half.

Durban City started the second-half on the front foot and dominated ball possession leading up to the 55th minute but often fell short at the final hurdle as Upington City sat back.

The visitors cranked up the pressure following the 60th minute mark after Saziso Magawana took a run at the Upington backline with a solo effort. However, the attacker’s shot was blocked at the right time.

Upington City were reduced to 10-men with 15 minutes left on the clock after Rowan Visagie received his marching orders for violent conduct. Durban City immediately went on the attack, notably through Hashim Domingo, whose long-range effort went narrowly wide of the mark in the 79th minute.

The hosts showed great determination after going a man down and created a couple of goal scoring opportunities in the process. However, the game eventually went into extra-time after a series of missed chances from both sides.

Upington City started the extra-time period as the aggressors and carved out their best chance of the game in the 100th minute. With Willie Nel through on goal, Darren Keet in goal denied the BafanaBaGucci attacker with a brilliant point-blank save.

The encounter slowed down dramatically during the second-half of extra-time as Upington and Durban City suffered under the 34-degree heat at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium. Nonetheless, following a gruelling 120 minutes in Upington, the game eventually went to the dreaded penalty shootout as the two sides failed to break the deadlock.

In what was one of the most bizarre penalty shootouts in recent memory, Upington City missed all their attempts, while Durban City added to the drama by recording two misses of their own.

However, Emmanuel Jalai and Letsie Koapeng were on target for Durban City, while Siyabonga Mtombeni’s final effort sailed over the bar, gifting the visitors the victory.

Upington City: (0) 0

Durban City: (0) 0

Durban City win 2-0 on penalties

Upington City: Mpandle, Zulu, Motloung, Saralina (Ntombayithethi 75’), Maphathe, Ledwaba (Sithole 106’), Theletsane (Nel 54’), Mahlonoko (Rakosa 75’), van Rhyn, Khumalo, Mtombeni

Durban City: Keet, Jalai, De Kock, Poggenpoel, Mashego, Mahlangu (Kamatuka 76’), Jodwana, Ncanana, Mokwena (Koapeng 67’), Nodada (Domingo 67’), Rulwana (Magawana 46’)