Chippa edge Wits in goal-fest
GOALS: Wits — Motupa (20m); Terrence Dzvukamanja (45m+2) and (81m), Deon Hotto (108m);
Chippa — Andile Mbenyane (3m), Boikanyo Komane (63m penalty), Ruzaigh Gamildien (90m), Rhulani Manzini (96m)
Chippa won 5-3 on penalties
Bidvest Wits (3) 4 Chippa United (3) 4
● Chippa United dumped another trophy predator out of the Nedbank Cup, edging Bidvest Wits in a penalty shootout after a goal-fest in last night's quarterfinal.
Two boxers slugging toe to toe would not go down as eight goals were scored — six in normal time and two more in extra time.
Chippa may be fighting relegation in third-last place in the Absa Premiership, but they showed no intent to save their resources for that battle. Coach Clinton Larsen had a full-strength line-up. Wits under Gavin Hunt could not muscle past the men from the Eastern Cape, who kept rebounding.
From Chippa’s third-minute corner by Mark Mayambela striker Andile Mbenyane headed in off Darren Keet.
Wits gritted back as Deon Hotto’s corner picked out left-back Sifiso Hlanti free in the area, who headed towards goal. Gift Motupa touched in past keeper Mbongeni Mzimela.
Another Hotto corner two minutes into injury time picked out the diminutive Dzvukumanja, who headed in Wits’ second.
Just past the hour fullback Zita Macheke attempted to cross, striking the arm of Hlanti. Referee Eugene Mdluli pointed to the spot, and Boikanyo Komane slotted low to the left.
Wits retook the lead with a classy goal. Cole Alexander placed Motupa in down the right, who turned his marker then fed Dzvukumanja ghosting in down the left, the Zimbabwean side-footing his second of the night past Mzimela.
But with the last touch of normal time substitute Ruzaigh Gamildien curled a gem of a free-kick past Keet.
Early in extra time Lerato Manzini squared across goal for substitute Rhulani Manzini to sweep in at the far post.
Then from Elias Pelembe’s cross Hotto smashed past Mzimela to make it 4-4.
In the shootout Wits’ first from Pelembe was saved, and nobody else missed.