At the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Chippa United upset TS Galaxy 2-0 on the road in a Nedbank Cup quarterfinal thanks to a penalty save by Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
The Chilli Boys earned themselves a spot in the Nedbank Cup final four and a third consecutive victory across all competitions by playing solid defence and posing a serious threat both on the counterattack and from set pieces.
The Rockets, who had won their previous five games, were heavy favourites to win.
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Galaxy outplayed the other team throughout the first half of the match, however Puso Dithejane’s deflected shot in the 12th minute was the finest of the bunch.
The Eastern Cape side took the lead against the run of play on the half-hour mark after a long throw in was flicked on by Justice Chabalala to find Bienvenu Eva Nga, who showed great positional awareness to provide a backward header which looped beyond the reach of custodian Fiacre Ntwari for 1-0.
Five minutes later, the hosts came within inches of a spectacular opening goal when Samir Nurkovic was picked out by a cross from Lehlohonolo Mojela and struck an acrobatic volley which had the
On the 35th minute, Galaxy had a chance to tie the score when Mpho Mvelase or Sphiwe Mahlangu had a clear header in the six-yard box, but they looked to obstruct one another, with the latter missing the mark.
Soon after, Chippa nearly forced a second goal with a hopeful pass that was lobbed into the penalty area and bounced between Ntwari and other players.
However, Pogisa Sanoka did a great job of clearing the ball that was headed for goal from under the crossbar.
Sinoxolo Kwayiba, who was substituted by Elmo Kambindu, also sustained a facial injury in the event.
In the 44th minute, Chippa had another chance when Eva Nga curled a shot towards the upper corner, but the goal was stopped by a superb save from
In an attempt to swing the game, the Rockets made two substitutions at the beginning of the second half:
Kamogelo Sebelebele and Orebotse Mongae. As expected, they dominated the first 20 minutes of the half that followed.
The home team, who also sent on Lebone Seema, Mlungisi Zwane, and Mlungisi Mbunjana, did not, however, have any clear opportunities.
They started using long balls and crosses into the penalty area, but without Nurkovic in the lineup, they lacked a physical threat to test Chippa’s defence.
But in the 86th minute, Galaxy were given a lifeline when Sirgio Kammies inadvertently handled in the box, forcing the referee to call for a penalty.
Sanoka took the spot kick, but Nwabali made an incredible stop to keep it out of his reach.
And as soon as Seema was discovered to be in possession and tripped up Aview Mqokozo, the Chilli Boys earned a penalty of their own.
The visitors won 2-0 thanks to a beautiful effort from 12-yard range by Roscoe Pietersen.
Chippa United will face Orlando Pirates in the Semi finals.