Chippa squeeze into last eight

CHIPPA UNITED (1) 2 Kwem 27, Eva Nga 117 CAPE TOWN CITY (0) 1

Ajagun 66) After extra time

CHIPPA United showed their resolve and determination once again last night to advance to the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

During the last round, the Chilli Boys required a penalty shootout to push through and they again had to plough deep into extra time before finding a winner from Bienvenu Eva Nga in the 116th minute to eliminate Cape Town City.

The Citizens had earlier come from behind to level matters and push this frenetic last-16 tie into extra time.

The home team drew first blood in the 27th minute when Augustine Kwem continued his love affair with the Citizens.

The strongly-built Nigerian forward found the net in the league encounter between these two teams earlier in the season and was again on the score sheet against City yesterday when he cleverly beat the offside trap before calmly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Peter Leewenburgh.

The goal was arguably against the run of play after City had dominated the early passages.

Mduduzi Mdantsane had a chance when he picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box, but his left-footed shot sailed past the left upright.

Defender Taarieq Fielies also had an opportunity, but instead of finding a teammate in space when the ball fell to him inside the box he ballooned his shot wide of the goal.

The Citizens kept pressing for a goal after the restart and eventually had their reward in the 66th minute when substitute Abdul Ajagun banged home the equalizer from close range.

It was a first goal in South Africa for the former Nigerian Under-20 captain after joining City during the January transfer window from Belgian Pro League side Kortrijk.

Both sides had opportunities to win the game during the latter stages, but with City almost out on their feet and having used all five of their substitutes, it was Eva Nga who finished off the game for the Chilli Boys.