MTN8: Golden Arrows 2-2 SuperSport United (4-3 pens) - Backheel Boys into last four
Matsatsantsa paid the price after wasting many scoring chances against Abafana Bes'thende
Golden Arrows defeated SuperSport United 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out to seal their place in the MTN8 semi-finals after the two sides had settled for a 2-2 draw after regulation and extra time.
In the game played on Saturday at Princess Magogo Stadium, Knox Mutizwa gave Abafana Bes'thende the lead from the penalty spot, but Gamphani Lungu replied to send the teams to extra time.
Matsatsantsa took the lead for the first time in the game through Iqraam Rayners but Michael Gumede spoilt the party at the death.
Both sides were keen to impress considering the fact that it was their first competitive match of the new campaign. It explains why the first few minutes were intense as the play went from one end to another.
In the 11th minute, Supersport, finally, managed to get their first shot on target. The defenders failed to clear the danger and Bradley Grobler almost capitalised on it, but Sifiso Mlungwana was in position to stop the ball from finding the back of the net.
In the 29th minute, the custodian, once again, had to be alert to make a decent save, this time around denying Sipho Mbule, who had danced his way through the defenders and into the danger zone, before unleashing a fierce strike on goal.
The first half did not yield many scoring opportunities, as the creative players ran out of ideas especially in the final third.
Supersport had another shot on target in the 42nd minute when Jamie Webber was brought down about 25-yards from goal. He stepped up and despite beating the wall, he couldn't beat the goalkeeper.
Arrows enjoyed better ball possession in the first half, but it was Matsatsantsa who had the best chances of the opening stanza.
After the break, the Swanky Boys needed less than a minute to threaten. Poor defending allowed Grobler into the danger zone but his effort was dealt with by the goalkeeper who parried the ball out for an unfruitful corner.
Three minutes later, Arrows were awarded a penalty when Teboho Mokoena needlessly fouled Nduduzo Sibiya. Mutizwa held his nerve to convert from the spot and handed his team the lead.
The goal gave the Backheel Boys the much-needed confidence, and five minutes later, Lindokhule Mtshali found space from 20-yards, but Ronwen Williams made the save.
SuperSport had to step up and get an equalizer soon. They had to wait until the 78th minute when substitute Lungu received the ball in a good area before unleashing a fierce low shot that brought the teams to level terms.
With six minutes to go, Matsatsantsa almost scored their second, but a Mokoena free-kick took a slight deflection from the wall and hit the crossbar with the goalkeeper well beaten.
With nothing to separate the two teams in regulation time, there had to be extra time to try and get a winner.
In the 98th minute, a long ball from the back was well controlled by Rayners, who cut the inside of captain Matome Mathiane, before unleashing a rocket past the goalkeeper to make it 2-1 in favour of SuperSport.
It seemed they had won game until two minutes before the end of extra time. Arrows won a free-kick, it was cleverly brought in and Gumede was there to apply the final touch that sent the teams to post-match penalties.
The attacker kept his cool to score the winning penalty as Arrows emerged 4-3 victors in the shoot-out.
Golden Arrows XI: Sifiso Mlungwana, Mthokozisi Dube, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Matome Mathiane, Sbonelo Cele, Pule Mmodi, Velemseni Ndwandwe, Nqobeko Dlamini, Nduduzo Sibiya, Lindokuhle Mtshali, Knox Mutizwa
Subs: Nkosingiphile Gumede, Siphamandla Sabelo, Siyabonga Dube, Siboniso Conco, Saziso Magawana, Thubelihle Magubane, Michael Gumede, Themba Mantshiyane, Siyavuya Ndlovu
SuperSport United XI: Ronwen Williams, Keenan Phillips, Siyabonga Nhlapo, Luke Fleurs, Onismor Bhasera, Jamie Webber, Jesse Donn, Teboho Mokoena, Sipho Mbule, Thamsanoa Gabuza, Bradley Grobler.
Subs: George Chigova, Iqraam Rayners, Thalente Mbatha, Gamphani Lungu, Guily Manziba, Moses Ndhondhi, Oswin Appolis, Gape Moralo, Thamsanqa Gabuza