Moroka Swallows progressed to the round of 16 of the Nedbank Cup this week, following their 3-1 penalty shootout win over Platinum City Rovers at the Isak Steyl Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
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With Rovers frustrating Swallows for much of the encounter, three misses in the penalty shootout proved to be the decisive factor of the match as the Dube Birds advanced to the next phase of the competition.
Swallows showcased their attacking intent during the opening exchanges of the match, as the home side battled to make it out of their half in the first 10 minutes of the encounter.
Partnering Gabadinho Mhango in attack for Swallows, Letsie Kaopeng looked lively throughout the first half. However, Rovers sat tight and did enough to keep the Dube Birds at arm’s length until the halftime whistle.
As a result of Swallows’ pressure, Edwin Ramaja, Olaleng Shaku, Siphosethu Meveni and Pealvince Madonsela were booked for various infringements throughout the 120 minutes, while Musa Nyatama’s side continued to probe in search of an opener.
In looking to manage the game effectively, Nyatama was first to shuffle his deck, with the likes of Lantshene Phalane and Gregory Damons being summoned from the bench soon after the hour mark.
Nevertheless, Platinum City Rovers proved to be a tough nut to crack for much of the 90 minutes, while no goals were scored during the extra-time phase of the match.
With the game set to be decided by spot-kicks, misses by Madonsela, Thabo Xaba and Olaleng Shaku proved to be costly for the home side as Swallows saw the game out as eventual 3-1 winners via a penalty shootout.
Platinum City Rovers: (0) 0
Moroka Swallows: (0) 0
Penalties:
Platinum City Rovers 1-3 Moroka Swallows
Platinum City Rovers: Sithole, Ramaja, Shaku, Madonsela, K.Zwane, S.Zwane (Ndlovu 83’), Vilakazi, Meveni (Hlatshwayo 90’), Dlamini, Shai (Sigasa83’), Masalesa (Theletsane 76’)
Moroka Swallows: Mbanjwa (Akpeyo 45’), Mphahlele (Mbanjwa 74’), Mngonyama, Sibiya, Tshanini, Mahlonoko (Phalane 66’), Khupe, Sanou (Damons 66’), Mtshali, Mhango, Koapeng (Everson 45’)