Penalties were required to separate Siwelele and Richards Bay FC in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32 this weekend as the Natal Rich Boyz prevailed as 4-3 winners from the spot at the Dr. Molemela Stadium on Sunday night.
Siwelele were first out of the blocks on their own patch, as Vincent Pule picked out Chibuike Ohizu with a cross from the left flank, however, the striker fluffed his lines inside the box.
Grant Margeman looked lively for Siwelele early on and tested Ian Otieno with a curling shot from the right-hand side of the 18-yard-area.
With pressure applied to the Richards Bay backline, Siwelele took the lead in the 19th minute as Margeman added his name to the scoresheet.
After collecting a loose ball on the edge of the area, Margeman let off a long-range effort that beat the keeper.
The Bloemfontein side continued to control the tie after taking the lead while Richards Bay came agonisingly close to levelling matters seconds before the break after Thabani Zuke struck the bar from close range following a set-piece situation.
Both sides created scoring opportunities during the earlier stages of the second half, as seen with Lundi Mahala whose header went wide of the mark following Thembela Sikhakhane’s cross in the 53rd minute.
Moments later, Margeman once again had a go from range, which was saved by Otieno in goal.
Richards Bay pulled one back in the 71st minute through Sbangani Zulu after finding himself in a favourable position in the final third.
After being picked out by Luyanda Khumalo, Zulu found the back of the net with a right-footed shot just outside the box.
The game opened up following the Natal Rich Boyz’ equaliser while both teams took the direct route in an attempt to score the leading goal.
PENALTY SHOOTOUT
Nonetheless, the tie was eventually forced into extra-time after neither side were able to break the deadlock.
Richards Bay took an early lead during extra-time with Mahala on hand to give his side a crucial lead in what was a gruelling contest in Bloemfontein.
The Natal Rich Boyz committed numbers forward and profited with sustained pressure as Mahala tapped the ball in from close range after a scuffed effort by Sbani Mntungwa on the far-left side of the box.
The Natal Rich Boyz added a third in the 98th minute with Mahala emerging in the right place at the right time yet again.
With Siwelele on the back foot, Sanele Barns collected a loose ball toward the area before picking out Mahala who scored the calmest of finishes from the middle of the 18-yard-area.
At the other end of the pitch, Siwelele got their names on the scoreboard through an unforced error following a corner situation in the 100th minute.
After a delivery toward the six-yard box, Thabani Zuke failed to clear his lines before side footing the ball into his own net.
Then, in yet another turn of events, Siwelele levelled the scoring in the 107th minute with Siphelele Luthuli joining in on the goal fest.
With the home side soaring down the left flank, the Richards Bay backline were in sixes and sevens as Luthuli received the ball before letting off a low driving shot toward the bottom right corner.
The game eventually went to the dreaded penalty shootout following a tense end to the match.
During the penalty shootout, it was Richards Bay who came out on top with a 4-3 win from the spot kicks.
The Natal Rich Boyz were led by Otieno in goal, who saved two efforts from Pogiso Sanoka and Mahlatse Makudubela, before scoring the last penalty to win it for his side.
Richards Bay win 4-3 on penalties
Siwelele: (1) (1) 3 (Margeman 19’, Zuke OG 100’, Luthuli 107’)
Richards Bay: (0) (1) 3 (Zulu 71’, Mahala 92’, 98’)
SIWELELE: Goss, Baliti, Baloyi, Sanoka, Mfolozi, Mokhuoane, Margeman (Moralo 88’), Pule (Luthuli 88’), Sekgota (Lungu 39’), Ohizu (Mokhele 76’), Potsane
RICHARDS BAY: Otieno, Sikhakhane, Zulu, Mcineka, Khumalo, Nzama (Gumede 73’), Zuke, Zikhali (Nashixwa 64’), Ngema (Khumalo 46’), Mahala (Mutizwa 119’), Barns