MILFORD FC players celebrating their Nedbank Cup quarter-final win against Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday.
Image: BackpagePix
SEKHUKHUNE UNITED (1) 2
Mojela 10, Mandi 107
MILFORD FC (1) 2
Philander 4, Mekutu 115
Milford win 3-2 via the shoot-out from the penalty spot
THE NEDBANK CUP is nicknamed the Cup of Dreams. The Cup of Shocks would be more apt this season. What with the lower division sides sending the elite league clubs tumbling out of the competition as much as they have.
As in the previous round when both Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates were knocked out on the same Saturday, two Betway Premiership giants fell on Saturday.
After Motsepe Foundation Championship side Casric Stars beat AmaZulu 2-1 in the afternoon, their fellow first division club Milford FC joined them in the semi-final by beating elite league outfit Sekhukhune United.
The KwaZulu-Natal side needed the shoot-out from the penalty spot to enter their name onto the hat for Monday’s draw for the penultimate stage of the country’s premier knockout competition.
Goalkeeper Siphamandla Hleza starred yet again as he did two years ago when Milford knocked Kaizer Chiefs out of the same competition at the first round stage. Back then he pulled off one save before going on to convert the final kick in a 5-4 victory.
On Saturday night, the man nicknamed Super, was super indeed as he saved two kicks – denying both Bradley Grobler and Shaune Mogaila before Thabang Monare skied his kick rugby style behind the goals.
Hleza scored the fifth kick after his teammates scored the initial two but then missed the following two to give Sekhukhune a look-in.
Miflord had taken the game by the scruff of its neck, scoring as early as the fourth minute via Cheswyn Philander before Lehlogonolo Mojela pegged them back just six minutes thereafter.
The match remained a stalemate until after 90 minutes, forcing the extended half an hour which also produced a goal either way.
Olerato Mandi punished Milford for some uncharacteristic defensive profligacy just after the second half of extra time began but late when it looked like Eric Tinkler’s men would march into the semis to keep them in the hunt for their quest for a CAF Confederation Cup.
But five minutes before the end, Mekutu scored the equaliser, his back header from a free kick beating Renaldo Leaner to send the tie into the shoot-out. Just as they did two years ago against Chiefs, Milford reigned supreme with Hleza performing a starring role in the Cup of Dreams. Well, make that the Cup of Shocks.