Arrows down Platinum Stars to reach semis
THIS could be a golden season for Golden Arrows after they marched into the Nedbank Cup semi-finals with a 1-0 victory over Platinum Stars in Kwamashu yesterday.
Arrows ensured they would pocket at least R1 million as they advanced to within one game of the final.
Captain fantastic Musa Bilankulu made the difference with the only goal of the first half. The veteran defensive player, who was with Arrows when they won their only cup trophy, the MTN8 in 2009, headed in from close range off Nduduzo Sibiya’s corner kick five minutes before the break.
That proved decisive and they staved off a late rally from the visitors to deserve a place in tomorrow’s draw for the semis.
For a young side that won promotion back to the PSL two seasons ago this is a breathtaking campaign. Arrows hold a comfortable top eight spot in the league and upset African champions Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 away from home in the last round.
Until Bilankulu’s goal it was a lively and balanced duel. Arrows enjoyed early half chances but nothing that troubled goalkeeper Mbongeni Mzimela much.
The Kwazulu-natal-born shot-stopper did well when his backline was breached in the 29th minute. Zimbabwean striker Knox Mutizwa had a one-on-one battle with Mzimela and the goalkeeper won it with gloves smothering the attempt.
Mutizwa fell on the wrong side of the home crowd with that glaring miss, and it was little surprise that he made way early after the interval for striker Lerato Lamola.
Platinum came to the coast with a team that reflected two changes from their last outing, a 1-0 defeat at Polokwane City, and the consistency of selection was evident. They were well-drilled and kept the home defence busy. After all, they had already done the league double over the Durban team with 2-0 and 1-0 victories, and would have arrived confident of another win. Were it not for goalkeeper Nkosingiphile Gumede’s block from Robert Ng’ambi shot in the 17th minute, Arrows would have been a goal down. Platinum’s main outlet was via Ryan de Jongh’s overlapping runs down the right flank, however, on the occasions he burst through, Bilankulu and company averted the danger.
Besides leading the team and giving them the lead with his fourth career goal against Platinum, Bilankulu’s movement between defence and midfield kept Arrows steady.
And he needed to marshal his men to the best of his ability, especially with the side having four changes, including youngster Romario Dlamini at left-back.
Dlamini was kept alert by De Jongh and even collected a yellow card, but overall he put in a solid effort.
From the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, Mazola Molefe reports that Supersport beat Kaizer Chiefs 5-3 on penalties after being locked at 1-1 after normal time and extra-time.
Both sides were evenly matched, especially when the game opened up late in the second half, when striker Jeremy Brockie broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute.
This encounter was so tight that you would have thought Supersport had probably done enough with that lethal finish from the Kiwi, who struck a hard low shot to beat goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune after Thabo Mnyamane picked him out in the Chiefs box.
It wasn’t long before Chiefs were level pegging, Ramahlwe Mphahlele out jumping his defensive opposite number Onismor Bhasera to head home the equaliser.
Supersport, who were bailed out by goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse in extra-time when the former Amakhosi keeper denied striker Bernard Parker what would have been a guaranteed winning goal from the spot kick.
William Twala, a late entry into the game as a substitute, blitzed past Michael Boxall to deliver was ultimately a tame effort for a cross, but Dean Furman made a mess of things when he used his arm to try and control the ball. Referee Victor Gomes, notorious for dishing out spot kicks, really had no choice.
But Pieterse was up to the task, guessing correctly to leave Parker, his teammates, and the Chiefs fans shell-shocked. It had to be settled with the lottery of a penalty shoot-out, where visitors Supersport United converted all five of their spot kicks, while George Maluleka missed his – giving Matsatsantsa an edge to see them win 5-3 to progress to the last four of the cup. Kaizer Chiefs Mphahlele 81 Supersport United Brockie 72 Supersport won 5-3 on penalties after extratime (0) 1 (0) 1