Ten-man Durban City needed a third penalty shoot-out in a row to get past neighbours Lamontville Golden Arrows, sealing a dramatic 5-4 victory in their Nedbank Cup quarter-final KZN derby at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Sunday evening.
Defender Fezile Xaba’s opener for Pitso Dladla’s team in the 36th minute was cancelled out by Thokozani Khumalo’s equaliser for Arrows early in the second half.
Goalkeeper Darren Keet proved the hero for City, producing a string of outstanding saves in regulation time, extra time and the eventual penalty shoot-out.
Both teams enjoyed spells of dominance in a match that only truly burst into life in the final quarter of regulation time, with a red card for City midfielder Athini Jodwana adding further drama to the contest.
Khumalo missed a golden chance for Arrows that could have settled the tie, while Keet produced a strong save at his near post to keep the Citizens in the contest.
The experienced goalkeeper then brilliantly kept out a curling Ayabulelwa Maxwele effort with a sprawling save before tipping an Isaac Cissé shot onto the crossbar in the first half of extra time.
Keet was again decisive in the shoot-out, saving Khumalo’s spot-kick before Arrows skipper Ayanda Jiyane struck the upright in sudden death to hand the visitors the victory.
Thabo Nodada, Sphiwe Mahlangu, Emmanuel Jalai, Ronaldo Maarman and Mfanafuthi Mkhize all converted their penalties for City.
The Citizens join TS Galaxy, Milford FC and Casric Stars in Monday’s semi-final draw after a weekend of upsets in South Africa’s premier cup competition.
