Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila defeated Lamontville Golden Arrows 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 match at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The hard-fought victory earned the defending champions and GladAfrica Championship outfit a place in the Last 16, while Abafana Bes'thende crashed out of the South African FA Cup.
It was one-way traffic from the first whistle with Abafaba Bes'thende pressing Vhadau Vha Damani in the opening 20 minutes of the game and they should have taken the lead through Lindokuhle Mtshali.
The former Orlando Pirates attacker was unlucky not to hit the back of the net as his headed effort struck the upright with Tshakhuma goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda well beaten.
Tshakhuma did threaten when Rhulani Manzini connected well with Tshepo Matete's wonderful cross, but the ball went just over keeper Nkosingiphile Gumede's crossbar.
Sibanda was the busier of the two keepers with the half-time break approaching as the Zimbabwe international denied Andile Fikizolo and Mtshali to ensure that first half ended goalless.
Lehlohonolo Seema, the Arrows head coach, decided to refresh his defence after the restart as he introduced Mthokozisi Dube who was at fault when the deadlock was finally broken.
Matete outjumped Dube and headed home a delightful cross from Joshua Netshilindi to make it 1-0 to Tshakhuma in the 68th minute as the dribbling wizard marked his debut for Vhadau Vha Damani with a goal.
However, the lead only lasted for seven minutes as Siboniso Conco levelled matters when he scored with a sublime volley to make it 1-1 after Vhadau Vha Damani had failed to clear their lines.
The goal ensured that the match ended in a 1-1 draw in regulation time and extra time followed. The two teams failed to take their chances in front of goal in extra time and the game went into a penalty shootout.
Tshakhuma emerged 7-6 winners on penalties with Sibanda converting the last spot-kick in sudden death to send the defending champions to the Last 16.
Tshakhuma 1 (Matete 68')
Arrows 1 (Conco 75')
Tshakhuma won 7-6 on penalties.
TTM: Sibande, Thopola, Mpeta, Motloung, Netshilindi, Matete, Motloung (Amoojee 46'), Manzini, Makha (Mlangenyi 82', Nyeleka 120'+1), Baloyi (Muyambo 81'), Ngwepe
Arrows: N.Gumede, Zuke, Ndlovu (M. Dube 66'), Mantshiyane (Cele 90'+2), Fikizolo (Fikizolo 66'), Sibisi, Mtshali (Mutizwa 72'), L. Dube (Sibiya 90'+2), Mmodi, Dlamini (Gumbi 108'), M.Gumede