Nedbank Cup - Last 32

 

Result: Bidvest Wits (4)0-0(2) Free State Stars

 

Date: 21 February 2015

 

Venue: Bidvest Stadium

 

Bidvest Wits defeated Free State Stars 4-2 on penalties to secure their spot in the Nedbank Cup Last 16.

 

Fikru Teferra nearly gave Wits the lead as early as the sixth minute but his header was saved by Stars goalkeeper, Johnny Mathole.

 

Sameehg Doutie was presented with a chance in the 22nd minute but he could only steer his header straight at Mathole.

 

Stars, meanwhile, struggled to get their passing game going in the first half and were restricted to long range efforts.

 

Danny Venter should have given stars the lead shortly after the halftime break but the midfielder failed to beat Moneeb Josephs when left one-on-one.

 

Venter was presented with another opportunity in the 62nd minute, he did well to beat his marker but once again fired straight Josephs.

 

It proved to be a frustrating evening for Venter, as he squandered yet another chance in the 89th minute, firing wide of the mark from close range.

 

The game went on to extra time and Fikru should have broken the deadlock just before halftime of extra-time, but he struck the upright from three-yards out with the goal at his mercy.

 

Neither side could break the deadlock after 120 minutes and it was Gavin Hunt's side who held their nerve in the shootout, with Sameehg Doutie slotting away the winning penalty.

 

Here's how they lined up:

 

Bidvest Wits: Josephs, Hlatshwayo, Shongwe, Vilakazi, Doutie, Mkhwanazi, Nhlapo, Botes, Bhasera, Ntshangase, Fikru

 

Free State Stars: Mathole, Masehe, Mashego, Cardoso, Sankara, Tlhone, Rakoti, Abraw, Sekola, Kerspuy, Venter