Chippa United beat Bidvest Wits to reach Nedbank last four

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Saturday Mar 30, 2019. 23:17

Chippa United beat Bidvest Wits 5-3 on penalties after a 4-4 draw in the Nedbank Cup quarter-final match at the Bidvest Stadium on Saturday night.

As a result, the Chilli Boys secured their place in the semi-finals, while the Clever Boys crashed out of the tournament.

The Chilli Boys took a surprise lead against the two-time Nedbank Cup winners just three minutes into the encounter.

Andile Mbenyane scored from Thabo Rakhale's corner-kick to make it 1-0 to Chippa with Wits goalkeeper Darren Keet well-beaten.

The Clever Boys applied some pressure on the visitors with Gift Motupa and Deon Hotto keeping the Chilli Boys backline busy.

Wits deservedly restored parity through Motupa, who scored from close range to make it 1-1 from S'fiso Hlanti's header in the 19th minute.

The visitors then suffered a blow as their goalscorer Mbenyane went down injured and he was replaced by Kurt Lentjies just before the half-hour mark.

Both teams launched attacks with the half-time break fast approaching and it was Wits, who scored the next goal.

Terrance Dzvukamanja scored with a brilliant header on the stroke of half-time to make it 2-1 to Wits after Chippa were caught ball watching.

The Chilli Boys pushed for the equalizing goal in the second-half and they were awarded a penalty after S'fiso Hlanti was adjudged to have handled the ball in the Wits box.

Boikanyo Komane then stepped up and the defender beat Wits keeper Darren Keet from the spot-kick to make it 2-2 for the visitors in the 63rd minute.

Wits then pressed Chippa in the closing stages of the game and they managed to score a beautiful team goal with 10 minutes left on the clock.

Motupa combined with Dzvukamanja, who scored with a low effort from inside the Chippa box to make it 3-2 to Wits.

However, second-half Ruzaigh Gamildien had other ideas as the attacker grabbed a late equalizing goal with a stunning free-kick in the 90th minute.

The goal ensured that the game ended in a 3-3 draw in regulation time and extra-time followed.

The two teams continued to attack in extra-time and Chippa took the lead for the second time on the night in the 95th minute when Rhulani Manzini scored to make it 4-3.

However, Wits refused to give up as Deon Hotto scored with a delightful finish to make it 4-4 from Cole Alexander's free-kick in the 108th minute.

A penalty shootout followed after an enthralling extra-time ended in a 4-4 draw.

Chippa went on to defeat Wits 5-3 on penalties with Rhulani Manzini converting the last spot-kick.

Wits (2) 4 (Motupa 19', Dzvukamanja 45'+2, 80', Hotto 108')
Chippa (1) 4 (Mbenyane 3', Komane 63', Gamildien 90', R.Manzini 95')

Wits: Keet, Mere, Mkhwanazi, Nonyane, Hlanti, Scott (Monare 46'), Alexander, Motupa (Majoro 96'), Dzvukamanja, Hotto, Murray (Pelembe 66').

Chippa: Mzimela, Macheke, Frederic, Shitolo, Malepe (R.Maznini 85'), Tlolane, Komane, Rakhale, Mayambela (Gamildien 74'), Manzini, Mbenyane (Lentjies 27').