Milford FC of the Motsepe Foundation Championship held on to upset Sekhukhune United on penalties in their Nedbank Cup quarterfinal clash at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday.
The second division side took revenge on Sekhukhune, who knocked them out of the same tournament in last year’s second round.
Goalkeeper and captain Siphamandla Hleza proved to be the hero with two saves in the shootout and burying the final spot kick to send his side to the semifinals for the first time in the club’s history.
Cup drama at its finest🔥
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) March 7, 2026
Milford FC see off Sekhukhune United on penalties to advance through to the semi-finals ✅#SSFootball | #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/6417a6vacq
Babina Noko made four changes from their draw with Durban City on Wednesday while Milford made two changes from their 1-0 loss to provincial rivals Midlands Wanderers as Konke Khwanya and Cheswyn Philander came into the line-up.
Milford coach Xanti Pupuma’s change up top paid off in the 4th minute as the visitors took an early lead. Bulelani Sigomoshe played a well-weighted pass through to Cheswyn Philander who bent his run to remain onside and coolly tucked the ball into the bottom left corner past Renaldo Leaner.
However, Milford’s lead did not last long as the hosts drew level in the 10th minute. Vusimuzi Mncube’s cross took a looping deflection to meet the run of Lehlohonolo Mojela, who slipped the iast defender and headed the ball into the bottom right corner for his fourth goal for the club and second of the Nedbank Cup campaign.
Minutes in, and it’s already an all-out battle between Sekhukhune United and Milford 🤜💥🤛
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) March 7, 2026
📺 Stream #NedbankCup on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/wAe6cIJ88I
In the 27th minute, Thato Khiba played a dangerous ball towards Tidiane Diamande in the box, but Bhekani Mthiyane got himself in between the delivery and its target to deny the Ivorian the finishing touch.
The top division side continued to enjoy the better of the chances. Vuyo Letlapa swung the ball into the Milford box in the 40th minute, looking for Mojela.
Goalkeeper Siphamandla Hleza rushed off his line late but Mojela could not direct his header on target. No other green shirts were in the box to poke the stray ball home.
The score remained locked at 1-1 going into the halftime break, with the hosts having five opportunities in attack snubbed by the offside flag.
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
Sekhukhune missed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 53rd minute. Hleza played an unwise pass to Bhekani Mthiyane in the backline, who had his pocket picked by Mncube.
However, Mojela got to the loose ball before Mncube but was in an offside position.
In the 64th minute, Tshepho Mashiloane flashed a cross across the face of goal, but substitute Bradley Grobler just could not get to it in the six-yard box.
Monare played Grobler into the right of the box in the 67th minute, and he tried to sneak the ball past Hleza, but was denied by the rushing goalkeeper’s trailing leg.
Substitute Keletso Makgalwa forced Hleza into action once more in the 85th minute, as his free kick was kept out by a firm hand from the Milford captain.
Babino Noko should have found the winner from the resulting corner but were denied. Makgalwa’s corner found Grobler at the near post. His glancing header was cleared off of the goalline heroically by substitute Sibulele Mekuto at the back post.
With neither side able to find the back of the net in the second half, the fixture progressed to extra-time.
HLEZA THE HERO
Babina Noko found the back of the net in the first minute of second half stoppage time. Makgalwa dinked the ball towards the edge of the Milford area, causing panic among defenders.
Milford failed to clear, allowing substitute Olerato Mandi to collect the rebound. He cut into the area and snuck the ball past Hleza at the near post.
Nervous work at the back for the visitors led to another opportunity for the hosts. Bad distribution led to a counter attack in the 113th minute.
Makgalwa found Grobler alone and with time and space in the area, but he could not connect properly and squandered an opportunity to put the game to bed.
This quickly came back to haunt Sekhukhune as they conceded in the 115th minute. Sifiso Mdluli’s free kick looped towards the near post where Sibulele Mekuto rose above his defender to flick the ball into the back of the net with a brilliant header.
With the game still tied at the end of extra-time, the winner was decided by a penalty shootout.
Hleza stepped up to the plate, denying Grobler and Mogaila. He then stepped up slot the final penalty to send his side through to the final four.
Hero between the posts and from the spot 💪
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) March 7, 2026
Siphamandla Hleza converts the winning penalty to send Milford FC to the semi-finals 🤝⚽#SSFootball | #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/oohrwAMWhB
Milford will discover their semifinal opponent on Monday night. The draw will take place on the Extra Time show at 8:30pm CAT on SuperSport’s PSL channel (202).
Sekhukhune United (1) 2 (Mojela 10’, Mandi 106’)
Milford FC (1) 2 (Philander 4’, Mekuto 115’)
Sekhukhune United: R. Leaner, E. Rammala (T. Mokoane 74’), T. Mashiloane (S. Mogaila 91’), B. Ndlovu, D. Cardoso, T. Khiba (S. Mkhize 106’), V. Mncube (O. Mandi 91’), T. Diamande (K. Makgalwa 74’), T. Monare, L. Mojela (B. Grobler 56’), V. Letlapa
Milford FC: S. Hleza, T. Bhengu, K. Khwanya (V. Mthabela 64’), O. Cele, S. Mdluli, B. Mthiyane, M. Mkhize (C. Sibiya 91’), M. Chili (S. Joy 74’), S. Ndlabi (M. Zikakayo 60’), B. Sigomoshe (S. Mekuto 59’), C. Philander (T. Mbunga 59’)