CAPE TOWN – The MTN8 produced a weekend of high drama, late goals and seven-goal thrillers as the quarter-finals delivered plenty of excitement across Saturday and Sunday.
Defending champions Orlando Pirates were the first side to book their place in the semi-finals after edging Durban City 2-1 after extra time at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.
The Buccaneers looked on course for victory when Patrick Maswanganyi opened the scoring in the 36th minute, but Durban City responded shortly after the restart through striker Jean Lwamba, who restored parity in the 51st minute. With neither side able to find a winner in regulation time, the tie went into extra time.
Just when it appeared penalties could decide the contest, Gamphani Lungu struck in the 119th minute to break Durban City’s hearts and send the defending champions through.
Later that evening at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium, Mamelodi Sundowns survived another extra-time battle, overcoming Polokwane City 3-2 to secure their place in the last four.
The visitors broke the deadlock first after six minutes thanks Bonginkosi Dlamini goal before the Brazilians raced to level matters through Teboho Mokoena in the 20th minute. Antonio van Wyk doubled for Sundowns in the 30th as the giants from the capital city enjoyed the lead at the half time break. City fought back after the break, with reducing the deficit in the sixth minute of the second half as Tidimalo Molokwane levelled the contest in the 59th minute.
The match eventually headed into extra time, where Cassius Mailula produced the decisive moment in the 112th minute to send Sundowns through in a five-goal thriller.
Sunday brought another goal-filled encounter at Chatsworth Stadium, where Sekhukhune United edged AmaZulu 4-3 in a pulsating seven-goal contest. The result secured Sekhukhune’s place in the semi-finals after a match that kept supporters on the edge of their seats.
The final quarter-final produced a major upset at FNB Stadium as Golden Arrows knocked out Kaizer Chiefs with a narrow 1-0 victory.
Arrows held their nerve against the Soweto giants to secure one of the weekend’s biggest results and complete the semi-final line-up alongside Pirates, Sundowns and Sekhukhune United.
