Clever Boys in quarterfinals

Bidvest Wits won a roller-coaster of a penalty shoot-out yesterday at Thohoyandou Stadium to edge out Black Leopards move into the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals.

Leopards had cause to feel a bit hard done by – and not just because they were leading 1-0 at the same venue when torrential rain caused the first last 16 meeting of these two sides to be abandoned on February 13.

At 1-1 in yesterday’s rematch, and heading into the last couple of minutes of extra time, Lidoda Duvha substitute Karabo Tshepe went down in the box under a clumsy challenge from another substitute, Wits’ Keegan Ritchie.

The referee chose not to point to the spot, a decision that becomes all-the-more controversial, given the ultimate outcome of the match.

Wits almost managed to blow it in a ridiculous manner in the shoot-out, as Ricardo Goss’ saves from Marks Munyai and Tshepe put them in a position where either Thulani Hlatshwayo or Vuyo Mere needed to score.

Hlatshwayo’s spot kick, however, was saved by Rotshidzwa Muleka while Mere blasted his effort way over, giving Alton Kapinga the chance to send the shoot-out into sudden death. Kapinga, however, also shot over, leaving Wits to celebrate.

Leopards coach Dylan Kerr kept the same side that had been leading 1-0 when the previous match was abandoned, while Gavin Hunt altered half his outfield line-up, making five changes but keeping Goss in goal, a decision that turned out to be wise.

Wits were lucky to have all 11 players still on the field 10 minutes in as Granwald Scott was only booked for an over-the-top tackle on Munyai that could well have resulted in a sending off.

The Clever Boys went in front in the 36th minute of a tight first half. Sifiso Hlanti’s crossfield pass found an unmarked Elias Pelembe on the right and his cross was turned in by Gift Motupa, also left to his own devices inside the Lidoda Duvha penalty area.

Wits nearly doubled their lead not long after as Simon Murray headed Vuyo Mere’s cross just wide.

Murray came close again after the break, his header at the near post just about pushed away by Muleka. Muleka also saved a Hlatshwayo header, before another Murray effort flew just wide.

But Leopards had enjoyed most of the possession in the second half and finally got an equaliser 10 minutes from time, as Mwape Musonda arrived at the far post to head in Joseph Mhlongo’s cross.