Sekhukhune United will face Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final after defeating Stellenbosch FC on penalties.
Nedbank Cup
Result: Stellenbosch FC 0-0 Sekhukhune United (Sekhukhune won 4-3 on penalties)
Date: 07 May 2023
Venue: Danie Craven Stadium
Stellies brought back their regulars who were rested in their goalless draw against SuperSport United, as Iqraam Rayners also returned to lead the line alongside Junior Mendieta and Devon Titus.
As for Sekhukhune, they also recalled Victor Letsoalo, Edwin Gyimah, Kamohelo Mokotjo and Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya as the four changes from their draw against TS Galaxy in midweek.
The sides went at each other with pace in the opening exchanges as on nine minutes Mokotjo forced goalkeeper Lee Langeveldt into a diving save with a low dipping shot.
The home side came the closest to going ahead four minutes later after Mendieta guided a header from a cross by Fawaaz Basadien that crashed against the upright.
The game continued to flow at a good pace but there were no clear-cut opportunities and Rayners had enough of all the build-ups for the Cape Winelands side just before the interval as he released a rocket from range that fortunately went straight at shot-stopper Badra Ali Sangare and the sides went to the break deadlocked.
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Steve Barker's charges started the second stanza brightly as Titus almost broke the deadlock a minute in with a diagonal shot that hit the post after an audacious through ball by Mendieta from an over-head kick.
As the encounter opened up, Victor Letsoalo had a golden chance for Babina Noko on the hour-mark with a header at the back post that was saved by Langeveldt after a free-kick delivery by Ntiya-Ntiya.
Brandon Truter's men had spaces to exploit on counter-attacks and Pogiso Mahlangu should have given them the lead with 18 minutes remaining after he drifted clear on goal but his shot was blocked off the line by Vusi Sibiya.
Sekhukhune looked to control the game better in midfield after that as Sibusiso Vilakazi replaced Vusimuzi Mncube and with ten minutes to go, Stellies refreshed their attack, as Juan Ortiz came on for Titus.
Babina Noko had the momentum in the dying minutes but they did not take their chances and extra-time was required after a goalless draw in regulation time.
Sekhukhune continued to have good opportunities early in extra-time as Letsoalo almost broke the deadlock with a deflected first-time shot that looped towards goal but Langeveldt made an acrobatic save.
Stellies eventually refreshed their side with Nhlanhla Mgaga and Sihle Nduli in attack and were revived again as Sibongiseni Mthethwa almost got the breakthrough in the last six minutes with a low sweeping shot in the box that forced Sangare into an out-stretched save.
With penalty shoot-out approaching, both sides changed their goalkeepers, as the hosts brought on Sage Stephens in place of Langeveldt and Sekhukhune brought on Ntokozo Mtshweni in places of Sangare.
The sides went to penalty kicks after following a scoreless encounter in extra-time, where Truter's charges held their nerve to win 4-3 after Mtshweni saved Ortiz's last spot-kick.
Here's how they lined up:
Stellenbosch: 35. Langeveldt, 38. Makhanya, 5. Sibiya, 21. Basadien, 21. Van Rooyen, 6. Mthethwa, 27. Jabaar, 10. Mendieta, 23. Adams, 34. Titus, 9. Rayners
Subs: 17. Stephens, 26. Mcaba, 15. Ortiz, 8. Nduli, 12. Mgaga, 29. Van Wyk, 22. Sibande, 18. De Jong, 37. Mngomezulu
Sekhukhune United: 30. Badra, 2. Mobbie, 36. Ntiya-Ntiya, 4. Cardoso, 39. Gyimah, 24. Mokotjo, 17. Seabi, 34. Ohizu, 34. Mncube, 21. Letsoalo
Subs: 21. Mtsweni, 43. Zulu, 29. Tshibwabwa, 35. Mahlangu, 10. Shai, 5. Madonsela, 20. Masiya, 50. Vilakazi
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