All Stars, Tshakhuma win on penalties to advance in Nedbank Cup

by Bertin Basson

Saturday Feb 27, 2021. 10:00

Cape Town All Stars and Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila became the first two teams to book their spot in the 2021 Nedbank Cup quarter-finals with penalty shoot-out wins on Friday.

All Stars defeated rivals Cape Town Spurs 5-3 on penalties in a match that ended 3-3 after extra-time at Parow Park. A neat finish from Waseem Isaacs and a comical own goal from Thabo Makhele took the match to an additional 30 minutes, before a crazy half-hour of football that produced four goals ensued.

Junior Batista fired Spurs ahead moments after emerging from the bench on the 100 minute mark, but All Stars levelled matters through Zaahir Witbooi two minutes later. The drama didn’t stop there and after Igor de Oliveira handed Spurs the lead once more, Igugu Lekapa hit back through a Ronaldo Maarman free-kick.

After seven successful takes, Luther Jacobs denied Ashley Cupido from the spot, allowing Thabo Moloisane the chance to kick the winning penalty and he duly obliged.

On a wet evening in Polokwane, Tshakhuma defeated Swallows FC 4-3 on penalties at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Thabo Mnyamane, Sipho Sibiya, Rhulani Manzini and Vuyo Mere found the back of the net in regulation time with the score deadlocked at 2-2 after 90 minutes of football in the Limpopo province.

Tshakhuma had a chance to win the match in extra-time when S’fiso Hlanti hacked down Joseph Malongoane inside the penalty area, but Virgil Vries denied Meshack Maphangule from the spot as penalties duly followed.

Maphangule made amends from the spot, scoring after Vuyo Mere had his attempt saved by Washington Arubi. The Zimbabwean shot-stopper then denied Musa Nyatama to send Vhadau Vha Damani into the next round.