Washington Arubi stole the show as Marumo Gallants advanced to the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-finals after sending 10-man Mamelodi Sundowns out of the competition via a penalty shootout at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
Following a goalless draw after extra time, Arubi saved three penalties to help Bahlabane ba Ntwa win 7-6. Ironically, Sundowns winger Tashreeq Matthews won the Man of the Match award at the expense of the veteran Zimbabwe international goalkeeper, who was also the busiest of the custodians during regulation and extra time.
Masandawana’s exit from the tournament means their coach, Miguel Cardoso, extends his grim record in cup competitions.
The Portuguese trainer started Teboho Mokoena from the bench for the second successive match, leaving Bathusi Aubaas to anchor the midfield. Cardoso’s opposite number, Alexandre Lafitte, handed new signing and Burkina Faso international Ibrahim Bance his debut, together with Ivorian defender Eroine Agnikoi.
Lafitte had to make a tactical substitution in the 35th minute, bringing in Khumbulani Ncube for Doudy James, who is the cousin brother of Orlando Pirates winger Oswin Appollis.
Shortly after, Gallants goalkeeper Washington Arubi almost gifted Sundowns a goal when he failed to clear a pass, but Agnikoi saved the situation with a timely clearance.
Although not many clear-cut chances came in the first half, Masandawana dominated play, with Matthews a handful for the visitors, especially James, which might explain Lafitte’s decision to take out his right-back.
A MORE LIVELY SECOND HALF WITH GALLANTS FRUSTRATING DOMINANT SUNDOWNS
Arthur Sales came close five minutes into the second half but agonisingly watched his low shot go just wide. With Sundowns now relentless in attack, Arubi was called in to dive well to block a Rayners shot in the 67th minute.
A minute later, the Brazilians thought they had grabbed the lead after Rayners’ headed effort nestled into the back of the net, but he was ruled out to have scored from an offside position.
As Cardoso sought solutions to break the stubborn Bahlabane ba Ntwa defence, he introduced midfielder and debutant Miguel Reisinho for attacker Sales. Mokoena, having come on from the bench, had his headed attempt cleared off the goalline with eight minutes to go.
It then turned out to be a disastrous debut for Reisinho, who lasted just seven minutes on the pitch after he was red-carded for a crude tackle on Siyabonga Nhlapo. With Sundowns now trying to adjust to playing with a man short, Cardoso was forced to withdraw an injured Keanu Cupido for fellow centre-back Mosa Lebusa to come on.
Following a goalless standoff in regulation time, the contest reached extra time and early into that period, Kamohelo Sithole blasted his shot well wide from a good position after being set up by Jaisen Clifford.
Even after some extra minutes for the two sides to separate each other, they remained deadlocked at 0-0, leaving a penalty shootout to decide the contest.
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