Chippa United 2-2 Mamelodi Sundowns (3-4 pens): Masandawana sneak into Telkom Knockout Cup semi-finals

Chippa United 2-2 Mamelodi Sundowns (3-4 pens): Masandawana sneak into Telkom Knockout Cup semi-finals

Mamelodi Sundowns became the last team to reach the Telkom Knockout Cup semi-finals after defeating Chippa United 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw on Sunday afternoon. 

The Chilli Boys were hoping to make history by reaching the semi-finals for the first time having defeated Bloemfontein Celtic in the previous round.

Norman Mapeza named the Moyo twins, Elvis and Kelvin in the starting line-up, while Augustine Chidi Kwem spearheaded the Chilli Boys attack.

On the other hand, Masandawana were keen to overcome Chippa and go on to lift the trophy for the fourth time having thumped AmaZulu FC in the previous round.

Denis Onyango made his return to the starting line-up, while Mauricio Affonso was handed his first start by Pitso Mosimane.

Chippa sat back in the opening exchanges and they hoped to strike on a counter-attack which allowed Sundowns to dominate possession.

The approach paid off as early as the 13th minute when the hosts launched a quick counter-attack which resulted in a goal.

Kwem was the man, who opened the scoring when he beat Onyango in the Masandawana goal-posts with a composed finish to make it 1-0 to Chippa. 

Sundowns then took control of the match with Hlompho Kekana dictating terms from midfield for the visitors as they looked to restore parity.

Kekana tried to set-up Ali Jose Meza, who just could not get a toe to it, before playing a cross which found Tebogo Langerman, whose effort was blocked in the Chippa box.

The Chilli Boys were living dangerously at the back as Affonso’s header narrowly missed the target, before Gaston Sirino hit the woodwork.

However, Mapeza’s men were able to contain the visitors and the score was 1-0 to Chippa at the interval.

Sundowns pressed the hosts after the restart and they were awarded a penalty after Phakamani Mahlambi was fouled the box and Sirino scored from the spot-kick to make it 1-1 in the 50th minute.

That did not deter the Chilli Boys as they regained the lead just before the hour-mark when Silas Maziya scored with a speculative effort which looped over Onyango to make 2-1 to Chippa.

It was end-to-end stuff as with teams launching attacks in search of more goals and Sirino managed to complete his brace after a mistake by Chippa keeper Patrick Tignyemb.

The Cameroonian player spilt Sundowns winger Thapelo Morena’s cross into the path of Sirino, who fired into an empty net to make it 2-2 with 20 minutes left on the clock.

The two teams then pushed for the winning goal, but it never came and the match ended in a 2-2 draw in regulation time and extra-time followed. 

The hosts suffered a blow in the first half of extra-time as Terciouc Malepe received his second yellow card and Chippa were reduced to 10 players.

However, Chippa stood firm at the back with Frederic Nsabiyumva working hard in defence and ultimately the extra-time ended in a 2-2 draw and a penalty shootout followed.

Sundowns went on to win 4-3 on penalties after Lehlogonolo Masalesa and William Twala failed to convert their spot-kick.

As a result, Masandawana joined Kaizer Chiefs, Maritzburg United and Lamontvulle Golden Arrows in the semi-finals, while the Chilli Boys bowed out of the tournament.