Sekhukhune United avoided a Nedbank Cup upset after overcoming Highlands Park on penalties on Wednesday night.
Nedbank Cup Last 32
Result: Highlands Park 1-1 Sekhukhune United (Sekhukhune won 5-4 on penalties)
Date: 21 February 2024
Venue: Dobsonville Stadium
Sekhukhune made only three changes following their 3-1 victory over Richards Bay, as Jamie Webber and Thamsanqa Masiya were recalled while goalkeeper Tokollo Makgolane was handed his debut.
The Lions of the North got to the game well rested after they were not fixtured over the weekend in the ABC Motsepe League.
The game got off to a lively start, with both sides having the intentions to attack but not having clear-cut chances.
Babina Noko started to threaten on set-pieces after 18 minutes, getting balls in dangerous areas but veteran shot-stopper Tapuwa Kapini was always alert.
Lehlohonolo Seema's charges continued to venture more forward but they were frustrated by a resolute defence from Highlands, as the first stanza ended goalless.
Sekhukhune started the second stanza brightly as four minutes in Vusimuzi Mncube had a chance with a strike in the box that sailed over the crossbar.
Seema eventually made an attacking five minutes later as he brought on Chibuike Ohizu in place of Michael Sarpong and after the hour-mark, he brought on Maloisane Mokhele in place of Linda Mntambo for fresh legs in midfield.
United pressurized Allan Feese's men in the closing stages but they were met with an equally good resistance and the game eventually went to extra-time after it was deadlocked in regulation time.
Sekhukhune eventually broke the deadlock four minutes into extra-time after Tresor Yamba headed home a free-kick by Mokhele.
The game stretched from end to end in the second period of extra-time, with the Lions of the North particularly threatening to get the equaliser.
Highlands Park's pressure finally paid off in stoppage time after Emilio Abreu levelled matters with a close-range header from a cross by Marate Ndieguene and the game went to penalty shootouts after a 1-1 draw in extra-time.
Babina Noko won 5-4 on penalties after Kamohelo Mokotjo scored a fifth consecutive penalty for United and Refentse Mphele missed the decisive spot-kick for the Lions of the North.
Here's how they lined up:
Sekhukhune United: Makgolane, Mkhabela, Tiwani, Cardiso, Tshibwabwa, Mkhize, Masiya, Webber, Sarpong, Mntambo, Mncube.
Subs: Mtsweni, Rikhotso, Mobbie, Ntiya-Ntiya, Dias, Mokotjo, Ohizu, Mokhele.
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