TS Galaxy kept their trophy hopes alive after beating Sekhukhune United 4-2 on penalties in the Carling Knockout quarterfinals following a 0-0 draw after extra-time at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday night.
Babina Noko were guilty of failing to take their chances and it proved costly as they missed twice from the penalty spot in the shootout to exit the competition at the hands of the Rockets, who were denied by the frame of the goal in extra-time.
The Limpopo outfit were looking for a win to ease the pressure on head coach Brandon Truter after a 2-0 defeat to the same opponents in the DStv Premiership last weekend extended their winless run to four games.
Galaxy would have felt more confident despite losing 3-2 against SuperSport United on Wednesday which halted a two-match winning streak in all competitions following their shock victory over Mamelodi Sundowns on penalties in the round of 16.
The hosts made the better start in Polokwane as Kgomotso Mosadi went close on two occasions early on, flashing a shot just over the crossbar from range in the fourth minute before dragging an effort wide of the right post from inside the box on the right three minutes later.
Jamie Webber then gave Fiacre Ntwari some work to do in the 13th minute with a strike from inside the 18-yard area that was well saved by the Rwandan goalkeeper, while Mosadi just missed the target once more from long range on 22 minutes.
Sead Ramovic’s side had their first real sniff at goal three minutes later when Sphiwe Mahlangu drew a comfortable save out of Badra Sangare after being picked out inside the box by Kamogelo Sebelebele.
Sangare was called into action again two minutes before halftime to keep out a long-range effort from Higor Vidal as the two teams went into the break still deadlocked at 0-0.
The goalmouth action dried up somewhat in the second half, although Sebelebele had the best chance when he met Thato Khiba’s pass, but was unable to beat Sangare, who pulled off a superb save above his head.
Daniel Cardoso and Elias Mokwana should perhaps have done better at the opposite end when they both steered headers wide of the goal from set-pieces.
It finished goalless after 90 minutes and extra-time followed, with Samir Nurkovic coming within inches of breaking the deadlock in the 101st minute as he rattled the crossbar from inside the box after being set up by Lindokuhle Mbatha.
That was the only real chance of note and like the first game of the day, penalties were required to settle the contest.
Truter made a goalkeeping change just before the final whistle, entrusting the duties to Ntokozo Mtshweni in the shootout which didn’t start well for them after Jamie Webber struck the left post with the first spot-kick.
Pogiso Mahlangu also had his penalty saved by Ntwari, while Galaxy converted all four of theirs to win 4-2 and join Stellenbosch, Richards Bay and AmaZulu in the semifinals.
Sekhukhune United (0) 0
TS Galaxy (0) 0
Sekhukhune United: B. Sangare (N. Mtshweni 120+2′), N. Mobbie, E. Gyimah, D. Cardoso, L. Mabotja, J. Webber, K. Mokotjo, S. Mkhize (L. Mtshali 90′), E. Mokwana (P. Mahlangu 90+1′), K. Mosadi (C. Ohizu 60′), C. Makgaka (R. Bwalya 39′, T. Thutlwa 90+1′).
TS Galaxy: F. Ntwari, K. Sebelebele (N. Radebe 100′), M. Mahlangu, P. Sanoka, K. Letsoenyo (T. Khiba 46′), M. Mbunjana, M. Mvelase, T. Rakwena (S. Nurkovic 65′), H. Vidal (O. Mongae 78′), S. Mahlangu (L. Mbatha 90+3′), L. Mojela.
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