Goalkeeper the toast of Wits after penalty shoot-out decider

WITS goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane’s two saves saw his team beat Bloemfontein 4-3 on penalties in last night’s MTN8 quarter-final at Bidvest Stadium after neither side could score in 120 minutes of soccer.

Two excellently organised teams defensively cancelled each other out in the 90 minutes, and scoring chances were scarce.

Wits coach Gavin Hunt paraded a number of new signings, including Thulani Hlatshwayo in defence, defensive midfielder Buhle Mkhwanazi, right wing Toriq Losper and striker Henrico Botes. Celtic’s acquisitions Rueben Cloete, on the left wing, and Heinrich Isaacks on the opposite flank were in coach Ernst Middendorp’s starting line-up.

And even and fast-paced first half was played mostly in the midfield, with opportunities at either end hard to come by.

With the second half in stalemate, Hunt made a double substitution just after the hour, of midfielder Dillon Sheppard and striker Sthembiso Ngcobo for Shongwe and Chapman.

Former Bafana Bafana international Sheppard was lively and influential, showing he still has the legs and passing and crossing ability to be a good signing for Wits.

The midfielder was part of several quick passing movements that stretched the Celtic defence. The visitors responded by going on the counter-attack. But neither side could break the other down.

For Wits, Sheppard, Losper, Ngcobo and Onismor Bhasera succeeded with their spotkicks. Sibusiso Vilakazi saw his saved by Tignyemb.

Lerato Lamola, Lyle Lakay and Joel Mogorosi slotted for Celtic. Alfred Ndengane and Lindikani Mzava’s shots were saved by Mabokgwane.