Fezile Gcaba hat-trick fires Durban City into Carling Knockout Cup quarter-finals

Fezile Gcaba produced a career-defining display, scoring a brilliant hat-trick to inspire Durban City to a 4-1 extra-time victory over Polokwane City and secure a place in the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-finals on Friday night.

The Chatsworth Stadium floodlights provided the perfect backdrop, and Gavin Hunt’s side burst out of the blocks. Their breakthrough came in the 12th minute when Gcaba climbed highest in a crowded penalty area to head home from a trademark Hunt set-piece. 

His effort nestled into the bottom corner beyond Brian Bwire to hand the hosts an early advantage.

Polokwane, coached by Phuthi Mohafe, gradually found their rhythm and pushed City back in phases. Their best chance of the first half arrived in the 27th minute when Simon Ramabu broke free, but his low shot flew agonisingly wide of Darren Keet’s far post.

They gained territory and applied pressure at set-pieces, eventually drawing level in the 88th minute. Gcaba, faultless until then, was penalised for handling in the box, and Lebogang Nkaki made no mistake from the spot, sending Keet the wrong way to force extra time.

But City showed their character when it mattered most. Just two minutes into extra time, Mfanafuthi Mkhize produced a breathtaking bicycle kick to restore the lead in spectacular fashion and lift the home crowd. From there, it became the Gcaba show.

In the 111th minute, the right-back surged forward on a marauding run before finishing with composure for his second of the night. Only three minutes later, he sealed his hat-trick with another towering header from a corner, sparking wild celebrations and killing off the contest.

Polokwane fought valiantly until the final whistle but lacked precision in the decisive moments. Hunt, meanwhile, will take great satisfaction from his side’s resilience and their ability to produce big moments under pressure — with Gcaba emerging as the undisputed hero of Durban City’s march into the last eight.