Nedbank Cup
Result: Free State Stars 0 (5)-(4) 0 Bidvest Wits
Date: 23 April 2016
Venue: Goble Park
Free State Stars progressed to the Nedbank Cup semi-finals after beating Bidvest Wits 5-4 on penalties on Saturday evening.
The opening exchanges proved to be a un-entertaining affair, as both sides were wasteful in possession, which resulted in a lot of scrappy play.
The rest of the half did not fare any better, as neither goalkeeper had a save to make in the opening 45 minutes.
The sides entered the break with the score locked at 0-0.
However, Stars nearly broke the deadlock two minutes after the break, as Ayanda Nkosi played in Thlone, who rattled the upright from close range.
Wits squandered a golden chance to take the lead in the 59th minute, as Buhle Mhkwanazi headed wide of the upright from point-blank range.
In an attempt to break the deadlock, Stars introduced last season's top scorer Moeketsi Sekola for Danny Venter in the 74th minute.
Neither side could break the deadlock in the final 15 minutes and the game was forced into extra-time.
However, the 30 minutes of extra time proved to be just lackluster as regulation time, as neither outfit looked threatening in the final third.
It was Ea Lla Koto who showed their nerve in the shoot-out to win 5-4, with Sifiso Hlanti missing the penalty for Wits.
Here's how they lined up:
Free State Stars: 31. Mathole, 5. Masehe, 20. Mashego, 15. Kerspuy, 24. Tlhone, 4. Makhaula, 33. Chabalala, 28. Jaftha, 45. Nkosi, 13. Mohomi, 8.Venter (Sekola 74')
Bidvest Wits: 16. Josephs, 2. Allie, 29. Khumalo, 15. Mkhwanazi ,7. Klate, 10. Vilakazi, 12. Hlanti, 22. Shongwe, 28. Keene (Botes 85'), 30. Motshwari, 41. Ntshangase (Ngome 58')
