Richards Bay win penalty thriller to reach Nedbank Cup round of 16

Richards Bay edged Siwelele FC 4-3 via a penalty shootout after a thrilling encounter at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein, to qualify for the Round of 16 of the Nedbank Cup, on Sunday night.

After an intense two hours of football, the encounter between coach Lehlohonolo Seema’s Siwelele and coach Ronnie Gabriel’s Rich Boyz reached a decisive end, with the visitors finally progressing after extra-time and penalties. Richards Bay goalkeeper Ian Otieno produced a commendable performance during regular time, with his saves sending the match into the sudden-death shootout.

Ultimately, it was Otieno’s successful spot-kick that sent the visitors through to the next round.

Earlier, the hosts dominated the first half.

Grant Margeman secured a 1-0 lead for Siwelele at the interval, capitalising on a counter-attack by firing a precise long-range shot into the bottom right corner to beat Otieno.

Richards Bay started the second half with more purpose and were eventually rewarded in the 72nd minute when Sanele Zulu scored the equaliser to send the match into extra-time. The visitors carried that momentum into the first period of extra-time, where Lundi Mahala scored twice to give Richards Bay a two-goal cushion.

However, by the end of the 120 minutes, the score was level at 3-3 courtesy of an own goal from Richards Bay’s Thabani Zuke and a late strike from Siwelele’s Siphelele Luthuli. Ultimately, however, Richards Bay held their nerve to claim a gritty victory via penalties.

Earlier on Sunday, TS Galaxy beat Marumo Gallants 1-0, while AmaTuks slid into the second round via penalties. After extra-time, the Pretoria-based side were deadlocked at 1-1 against Hungry Lion, and eventually survived the shootout 5-3. Elsewhere, Mkhambathi also progressed to the next round by beating Lerumo Lions 2-1.

Two matches remain in the round of 16 of the Cup tournament — Polokwane City host AmaZulu on Tuesday at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, while Soweto Super United host Milford at the Dobsonville Stadium on the same evening (both games kick-off at 7pm).