Nedbank Cup
Result: Santos 0-1 Free State Stars
Date: 02 April 2016
Venue: Athlone Stadium
An extra-time own goal from Iqranm Rayners handed Free State Stars a slender 1-0 victory over Santos in a tightly contested Nedbank Cup Last 16 clash at the Athlone Stadium.
The opening exchanges were rather dull as both sides played a more conservative game, avoiding conceding an early goal.
Ea Lla Koto's Katlego Mashego had the game's first real chance at goal in the 15th minute but dragged his effort just wide of the mark.
The visitors were looking good, starting to put together some lovely passing exchanges. Danny Venter had a solid effort go just wide only five minutes later.
The match was proving to be quite a physical contest as both sets of players produced some fierce challenges. However, the score remained unchanged at the break as the sides headed for half-time at 0-0.
The fierce challenges continued to fly in even after the restart, and the midfield battle was proving to be a very interesting one as both sides did well to break down play in the middle of the park.
No side could find the back of the net in regular time, despite countless efforts from both sides, and the match ended 0-0 after regulation time.
The visitors were given a lovely present at the beginning of extra-time when Iqranm Rayners put the ball through his own net, handing Ea Lla Koto a 1-0 advantage.
The visitors built on that momentum and continued to dominate play in extra-time, with Danny Venter going close in the 109th minute, before Moeketsi Sekola also had his effort go agonisingly wide two minutes later.
The score remained unchanged, and Free State Stars walked away with the 1-0 win, sealing progression to the Last eight of the Nedbank Cup.
Here is how they lined up:
Santos: Goldman, Derra, Sigwebela, Skippers, Rayners, van Rooyen, Paro, T Arendse, Saal, Lark, Johnson.
FS Stars: Mathole, Mbhele, Vilkazi, Kerspuy, Makhaula, Chabalala, Jaftha, Nkosi, Mohomi, Mashego, Venter.
