Polokwane City had to dig deep to beat hosts Orlando Pirates in a penalty shootout in a Telkom Knockout quarterfinal match that had no shortage of drama and goals.
Both teams had come to this encounter looking to improve their poor record in this tournament.
While Pirates have played in eight of the previous 35 finals since the inception of the competition, they only had success once when they defeated Wits 3-1 in the 2011 edition. And their struggle continued last night.
Rise and Shine's record is no better either. The Limpopo club started last night's match still technically searching for their first win in this tourney with all four of their previous participations ending in first-round exits.
Their passage to the last eight this year was also secured through penalties after playing to a 0-0 draw with Ajax Cape Town.
With Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic and his Polokwane counterpart Bernard Molekwa employing an attacking 4-4-2 formation, the match was flowing from end to end in both 90 and 30 minutes of extra time.
It was City, though, who took their first chance inside the first two minutes. Their veteran striker Rodney Ramagalela proved to be a menace in Pirates' defence, with Marc van Heerden particularly having a torrid time trying to stop him.
Ramagalela's cross after skinning Van Heerden and drawing Wayne Sandilands out of his goal, found his striking partner Rendani Ndou and headed in the opening goal.
To their credit, the Buccaneers refused to sit back and absorb all the pressure imposed by their visitors. Pirates launched attacks of their own and were rewarded in the 13th minute when the final ball - a cheeky chip from Thamsanqa Gabuza after a brilliant build-up - reached defender Ntsikelelo Nyauza unmarked and beat Polokwane goalie George Chigova with a low shot.
Polokwane regained their lead in the 41st minute when Ndou completed his brace with a powerful low shot after another great pass from the irrepressible Ramagalela.
This match had all the drama in the first 45 minutes, which had eight minutes added. This was due to Chigova needing more than five minutes after an injury he sustained after clashing with Gabuza, with referee Victor Gomes awarding Bucs a penalty in the 33rd.
From the penalty spot, Mpho Makola failed to beat Zimbabwean Chigova, who further injured himself while making that save.
Eventually, Chigova had to let go of his gloves, his place taken by Harold Ndlovu, who could do nothing to stop Makola redeeming himself with a headed goal from a Gabuza cross in the second minute of referee's optional time in the first half.
Despite Sandilands's horrific howlers in a midweek defeat, Sredojevic kept faith in him.
