Soweto giants through to Nedbank Cup semis
Two Southern PSL sides made it through to the semifinals of the Nedbank Cup.
JOHANNESBURG – Two Southern soccer sides have made it through to the Nedbank Cup semi-finals.
The draw will take place today, Monday April 14, at the Premier Soccer League offices to determine who will play what team in the semi’s.
George Lebese fired Kaizer Chiefs into the Nedbank Cup semifinals with two goals in the final minutes of the game to beat SuperSport United 2-0 at the FNB Stadium on Saturday April 12.
The opening 45 minutes was a half dominated by the Amakhosi in terms of possession, but United had the more efforts on goal.
Chiefs controlled the game from the onset, but lacked imagination in the final third, which resulted in them having only two efforts on goal in the first half.
As the half drew to a close, SuperSport began to find their feet and had a few chances on goal.
The half ended 0-0.
The start of the second 45 saw SuperSport with more of the ball, and they came close to opening the scoring ten minutes after the restart, when Phala fired a shot inches wide of the post from the edge of the box.
Chiefs’ first decent effort on goal in the second 45 came in the 75th minute, when Bernard Parker fired a 24-yard free-kick goalwards, but he saw his attempt smartly saved by Williams.
The game looked to be heading to extra-time until George Lebese scored the winner in the 90th minute with an expert finish after turning home Siboniso Gaxa’s low right wing cross 1-0.
Lebese then found a second goal in the 94th minute to sweeten the win with another powerful shot from the edge of the box 2-0.
Meanwhile in the other quarter final match Orlando Pirates faced Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria.
A second half strike from Daine Klate secured a 2-1 win for Orlando Pirates over Mamelodi Sundowns in a Nedbank Cup quarter-final clash at Loftus Stadium on Saturday evening.
The win means that the Buccaneers stay on course to reach their fourth cup final this campaign.
The teams were deadlocked at the break following goals from Oupa Manyisa and Elias Pelembe.
Both sides played with great drive and determination from the onset in what was a thoroughly enjoyable encounter, ultimately decided by a moment of confusion inside the Sundowns penalty area.
Pirates were awarded a penalty in the sixth minute, after Mashaba was adjudged to have brought down Bacela inside the area.
The referee looked to have waved away claims for a penalty, but after checking with his assistant Bucs were awarded a spot-kick.
Manyisa duly stepped up and sent Kennedy Mweene the wrong way, 1-0.
Elias Pelembe levelled matters in the 24th minute. Anthony Laffor picked out the unmarked Mozambique star, who controlled beautifully before firing a low effort past Senzo Meyiwa from inside the area.
Mamelodi Sundowns 1-1 Orlando Pirates at the interval.
Sundowns looked the better side after the break and squandered a couple of glorious opportunities, with Surprise Moriri notably missing a sitter before Klate grabbed what would prove to be the winner in the 62nd minute.
Bucs join Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs, Wits and KwaZulu-Natal outfit Maritzburg United in the final four.
