Durban City and TS Galaxy advanced to the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup following their respective victories over Lamontville Golden Arrows and Jacksa Spears on Sunday.
City and the Rockets now join Casric Stars and Milford FC in the last-four of this competition. On a rain-soaked evening at King Zwelithini Stadium, it needed a penalty shootout to separate Arrows and City after a 1-1 draw after extra time. City sailed through 5-4 on penalties to claim bragging rights in this KZN Derby, and crucially, remain in their hunt for a maiden major trophy in the top-flight league.
Fezile Gcaba had opened the scoring for Durban City on 36 minutes when he fired into the roof of the net off a feed from Sazise Magawana. While it was Arrows who were down, City were performing like the trailing side, piling more pressure on their hosts.
Samkelo Maseko almost doubled City’s advantage five minutes into the second half but saw his shot sailing just wide. However, Arrows got themselves into the game with some promising attempts at goal.
Pressure for an equaliser from Arrows finally paid off when Thokozani Khumalo headed into the net a cross to level matters just before the hour mark. The contest turned dramatic when Durban City midfielder Athini Jodwana was shown a red card with 11 minutes to full-time.
Shortly after, Khumalo strangely missed on an empty goal, leaving his coach, Manqoba Mngqithi, livid. It was now Arrows making more dangerous forays, but City had to thank goalkeeper Darren Keet for some impressive saves.
There was a deadlock at full-time and the match went into extra time. Isaac Cisse was unlucky to see Keet fingertip his shot, which then crashed against the crossbar. City went on to win through the kickouts.
TS GALAXY LABOUR PAST AMATEUR SIDE JACKSA SPEARS
Meanwhile, at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium earlier in the day, TS Galaxy set themselves up to reclaim the trophy they last lifted in 2019 by reaching the semi-finals after a 2-0 victory over Jasksa Spears.
Goals in either half from Igor Salatiel Silva and Tshepo Kakora sent the Rockets into the semi-finals. While the scoreline might give an impression that TS Galaxy had it easy, it was instead a difficult afternoon in which the ABC Motsepe League outfit threatened to spoil the occasion for the hosts.
Bokamoso Seretsi forced a desperate save from TS Galaxy goalkeeper Ira Tape in the 22nd minute with a shot from inside the box. But Brazilian defender Silva then thrust the Rockets ahead after 34 minutes when he headed in a free-kick delivery from Patrick Fisher.
Just after Silva’s goal, Spears almost hit back through Sheldon Mashuge who was denied by Tape in a one-on-one situation.
Then, 13 minutes into the second half, Kakora made it difficult for the third-tier side by dispossessing a defender inside the box before curling the ball into the back of the net. However, Spears remained determined and Harold Mahlalela called Tape to anither fine save of a headed effort.
The Ivorian has a busy day and with 15 minutes remaining, he was beaten by Itumeleng Olyn and had to then the crossbar for rescuing him. He remained unbreached in the Nedbank Cup this season and TS Galaxy are the only team yet to concede as they reached the semi-finals for the second time in their history.
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