Sekhukhune United booked their place in the Round of 16 of the Nedbank Cup following a hard-fought 5-4 penalty-shootout win against Highlands Park at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Wednesday night.

Babina Noko are through to the Last 16 following their penalty shootout victory over The Lions of the North. #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/KHAKusi9Oa

— Sekhukhune United F.C. (@SekhukhuneFc) February 21, 2024

As expected, Sekhukhune held most of the ball during the opening stages of the match as they patiently began chipping away at the Highlands Park defence.

Sitting in their half for much of the first 15 minutes, the Lions of the North were reduced to hitting the visiting side on the break but failed to trouble the Babina Noka backline during this period.

Highlands Park continued to hold their own as the half-hour mark approached and defended their quarters efficiently.

Sekhukhune often went direct in search of an opener but were unable to make the most of their chances as a result of Highlands Park’s organised backline.

Both Highlands Park and Sekhukhune played an open brand of football throughout the first 45, however, it was Sekhukhune who edged the home team to the ball possession count especially toward the end of the half.

However, the Lions of the North did well to keep Babina Noko at an arm’s length.

Sekhukhune were once again the more progressive side after the restart and created a couple of notable scoring chances during the first 10 minutes of the second half.

However, Highlands Park did not overextend themselves and remained patient in their build-up play from defensive positions.

DRAMA AT THE DEATH

The Lions of the North came agonisingly close to opening the scoring in the 67th minute after being awarded a free kick on the edge of the Sekhukhune area.

With a curling cross played in, Bayabonga Mbele’s glancing header whistled past the goalkeeper’s upright, much to the relief of Tokollo Makgolane in goal.

Highlands Park went about the business purposefully and did not allow the top-flight side to run away with the ball possession count.

After a few promising attacking moments of their own, Highlands Park actively searched for an opener after 75 minutes on the clock.

As the 90 minutes came to a close, Sekhukhune threw everything at the Highlands Park defence and lobbed the ball into the 18-yard-area at every given opportunity.

However, the away side were unable to break the deadlock late on as the game was forced into extra-time.

Babina Noko took the lead four minutes into extra-time with Tresor Tshibwabwa getting his name on the scoresheet.

Following a set-piece situation in the border of the box, the defender found himself in the right place at the right to head home from close range.

Then, in a dramatic turn of events, Highlands Park levelled matters in the dying stages of the encounter as Emilio Abreu met Marate Ndieguene’s cross with a glancing header inside the six-yard box.

After an impressive showing from both sides during the shootout, it was Refentse Mphele’s missed effort at the fifth attempt that saw Sekhukhune walk away with a 5-4 victory on penalties at the Dobsonville Stadium.

🟢 Sekhukhune Utd - ✅✅✅✅✅
🔴 Highlands Park - ✅✅✅✅❌

Sekhukhune Utd are through to the Round of 16 after a tense shoot-out ⏭#NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/fskraFNf33

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 21, 2024

Highlands Park: (0) 1 (Abrue 120’)

Sekhukhune United: (0) 1 (Tshibwabwa 94’)

Penalties: Highlands Park 4-5 Sekhukune United

Highlands Park: Kapini, Malale, Dlamini (Moses 45’), Frans, Mphele, Jafta, Mbele, Harvey (Khwela 89’), Maphaga (Ndieguene 89’), Wakefield (Abreu 63’), Makhene (Ndlovu 80’)

Sekhukhune United: Makgolane, Mkhabela (Mobbie 45’), Tiwani, Cardoso (Abreu 45’), Tshibwabwa, Mkhize, Masiya, Webber (Mokotjo 91’), Sarpong (Ohizu 59’), Mntambo (Maloisane 73’), Mncube (Mosadi 102’)