Maritzburg United defeated Stellenbosch FC 5-4 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the 2019/20 Nedbank Cup Last 32 match at the Athlone Stadium on Friday.
As a result, the Team of Choice sneaked into the Last 16, while their Premier Soccer League (PSL) rivals Stellies were eliminated from the competition.
Stellies got off to the perfect start as they broke the deadlock just nine minutes into the encounter through midfield maestro Mpho Matsi.
Maritzburg goalkeeper Bongani Mpandle was caught in possession and Matsi pounced and scored to make it 1-0 to Stellenbosch.
The Team of Choice pushed forward in numbers and they were awarded a penalty after Tebogo Tlolane was fouled in the Stellies box.
Thabiso Kutumela then stepped up and beat Stellenbosch goalkeeper Boy de Jong from the spot-kick to make it 1-1 in the 22nd minute.
The hosts responded with a goal through Lelethu Skelem, who scored to make it 2-1 to Stellenbosch following a scramble in the box just before the half-hour mark.
However, former Orlando Pirates striker Kutumela completed his brace with a left-footed volley to ensure that the first-half ended with the two teams locked at 2-2.
The two teams continued to attack each other after the restart with Maritzburg coach Eric Tinker having introduced attacker Yusuf Jappie.
However, Stellenbosch and Maritzburg were both wasteful in front of goal with Jeremy Brockie missing the target with an acrobatic effort.
Last season’s National First Division (NFD) Golden Boot winner Iqraam Rayners was introduced by Stellies coach Steve Barker as the hosts looked to grab a late winning goal.
However, the match ended in a 2-2 draw in regulation time and extra-time followed following an enthralling 90 minutes.
There were no goals in extra-time which had a few goal-scoring opportunities and ultimately, the match ended in a 2-2 draw and a penalty shootout followed.
Maritzburg went on to secure a 5-4 victory on penalties with Kwanda Mngonyama converting the last penalty to send the Team of Choice to the Last 16.
Stellenbosch (2) 2 (Matsi 9′, Skelem 27′)
Maritzburg (2) 2 (Kutumela 22′, 45′)
Stellenbosch: De Jong, Mobbie, Ndlovu, Mthethwa, Johannes, Mbekile (Scott 71′) Sinkala, Matsi, Skelem (Rayners 80′), Karuru, Moon (Mathabela 90′).
Maritzburg: Mpandle, Morgan (Yappie 46′) , Xulu, Mngonyama, De Reuck, Kutumela, Timm, Claasen, Ntshangase (Shanti 99′), Tlolane, Brockie (Augusto 78′).©
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
