Highlands Park reach MTN8 final

Sibongiseni Gumbi

It is Highlands Park who advance to the final of the MTN8 after beating Polokwane City 4-3 in a penalty shootout at Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa last night. The teams failed to score in over 180 minutes of open play in the two-legged semifinals as last night’s match also ended goalless.

But Edgar Manaka had his kick saved by Thela Ngobeni and Mohammed Anas and Mpho Mvelase sent theirs over the bar and that was it – Highlands were through to their first final since returning to the top flight over a year ago.

Both teams gave a guarded display early on as they looked not to concede early but the game came alive just after the 20th minute with both sides coming close to scoring. First it was Rise and Shine who came close, with Walter Musona forcing a save off Ngobeni.

A few minutes later Highlands were also close, with Peter Shalulile’s attempt from a Marks Munyai cross hitting the upright. Lindokuhle Mbatha was denied by a brilliant save by George Chigova at point blank range on 27 minutes as he lapped onto a long ball from Ngobeni.

The Lions of the North were forced to make an early change with Rodney Ramagalela forced off with an injury after 30 minutes. Tendai Ndoro took his place.

Both teams had other chances but nothing clear as they restricted each other to long balls which the defenders looked mostly comfortable dealing with.

It was still goalless at half time.

City came back for the second half with a different approach as they looked to break through the Highlands defence by carrying the ball instead of launching it wide.

It almost paid off immediately with Manaka sent through on goal but his effort met a resilient Ngobeni, who parried it away.

With 18 minutes to the end, Ryan Rae took a throw in for Highlands and with his now signature long balls from such situations, he sent in a good one and it found Ndoro whose header, however, went over.

When the clock reached 80 minutes the tempo of the game went down as both became cautious wanting to make sure they didn’t concede late which would make it almost impossible to come back.