Telkom Knockout
Result: Orlando Pirates 2-2 Polokwane City ( Polokwane won 4-2 on penalties)
Date: 04 November 2017
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Polokwane City upset Orlando Pirates as they won their encounter 4-2 on penalties to book a Telkom Knockout semi-final berth.
City almost caught Pirates napping in the first minute when Thabang Klaas received a cross from Rodney Ramagalela until Justice Chabalala blocked the eventual shot.
Ramagalela was responsible for City's opening goal as he set up Rendai Ndou, who headed into an empty net to give his side a lead in the second minute.
Pirates slowly got back into the game and were pinning Polokwane back. Ntsikelelo Nyauza equalised for the home side in 12th minute with a shot from 12-yards out.
Mpho Makola beat a defender before his attempted lay off for Thamasanqa Gabuza was timeously cut out by George Chigova to keep his side in the game.
Thembinkosi Lorch put in a low cross for Gabuza who missed an open goal from close range as his attempt sailed over the bar in the 23rd minute.
Pirates were awarded a penalty in the 30th minute and after a lengthy injury delay, Makola took the penalty but was denied by a brilliant stop by Chigova, who was substituted just after his heroics as his injury forced him off.
Makola made up for his penalty miss as he ensured the scores were level at halftime with a headed goal into an empty net.
After a slow start to the second half, the hosts opted for a change after 58 minutes as Thabiso Kutumela replaced Justin Shonga.
The Buccaneers enjoyed most of the possession in the second half, while Bernard Molekwa's charges were happy to sit back and soak up the pressure.
Vusimuzi Mngomezulu had an opportunity to reclaim City's lead in the closing stages when he found space in the box but his effort went well over the bar.
The scores remained the same after 90 minutes as the teams went on to extra-time.
Rise and Shine were the brighter side in extra-time after a headed effort at the near post was kept out by Sandilands foot in the second minute of extra-time.
Substitute Bongile Booi missed a clear-cut chance to hand Polokwane the lead as he blazed over the crossbar from six-yards out.
After neither side could find a winning goal in extra-time, the match went to a penalty shoot-out, where Polokwane held their nerve to claim a 4-2 win.
Here's how they lined up:
Pirates: 30 Sandilands, 19 Chabalala, 34 Nyauza, 36 Van Heereden, 8 Matlaba, 5 Makola, 15 Qalinge (Norodien 102'), 3 Lorch (Rakhale 110'), 14 Nyatama, 7 Shonga (Kutumela 58'), 31 Gabuza.
Polokwane: 1 Chigova (Ndlovu 35'), 2 Semenya, 19 Ravhuhali, 22 Mbonani, 5 Maponyane, 21 Seabi, 6 Vilakazi, 15 Klaas, 17 Ramagalela, 8 Maluleke, 35 Ndou (Booi 87').
