DRAMA | 'Sour grapes' from Stellies, Bucs almost fumble, dream final on

Kaizer Chiefs' controversial win over Stellenbosch FC, Orlando Pirates' 'lucky' escape against SuperSport United, whether Durban City may have been 'robbed' of a penalty... all in KickOff's Weekend Wrap! 

Late drama as Chiefs advance

Albeit under controversial circumstances, Amakhosi progressed to the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Stellenbosch at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.

Inacio Miguel opened the scoring through a spot-kick in the first half, before the home side hit back through Andre de Jong late on.

With the match appearing to be headed for extra-time, the Soweto giants netted the second via Pule Mmodi, albeit in controversial circumstances.

Soon after the Golden Arrows man tapped the ball in with his knee, the assistant referee's flag went up, though the referee had given it as a goal. Replays showed George Matlou may have pushed goalkeeper Sage Stephens as he tried to punch the corner kick away, but the contact was minimal.

Following consultation between referee and assistant, the goal was given, much to the displeasure of the Stellies players.

Soon thereafter, the Winelands-based side got a corner kick of their own and all 11 players pushed up into the Amakhosi box, including the keeper. The corner, however, was headed away, allowing Mfundo Vilakazi to sprint away with an open goal at his mercy. 

3-1 it ended, but the match will long be remembered for the drama that unfolded that left head coach Steve Barker fuming during his brief but emotional post-match TV interview.

For starters, Ismael Toure was lucky to have finished the game as he deliberately handled the ball in the box, leading to the penalty, but was not cautioned. The big centre-back was also involved in an incident with Gaston Sirino, where he hit the Uruguayan in the face, for which he was yellow-carded.

Both incidents took place in the first half. 

For the Stellies equaliser, there was a push on Matlou, who was rushing to clear the delivery that was eventually headed home by Miguel for an own goal. 

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Chiefs will now face the winner between Mamelodi Sundowns and Sekhukhune United in the semis.

Pirates strike it lucky in 'lottery'

Bucs also sealed their ticket to the semi-finals after a 5-4 defeat of SuperSport United in a penalty shootout, with the math having ended 2-2 after 120 minutes.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi opened the scoring, only for Terrence Dzvukamanja to equalize as half-time loomed. However, Evidence Makgopa put the visitors ahead to take a lead into the second stanza.

With Jose Riveiro's men appearing poised for the win, Gape Moralo had the last say deep in added time to send the match to extra time. No further goals were scored and it was on to the lottery of penalties.

Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo missed his spot-kick for Pirates, with Vincent Pule and Christian Saile being the unlucky ones for Gavin Hunt's men. 

Pirates will be out for revenge as they have been drawn against Marumo Gallants in the semi-finals, enjoying a home fixture.

Durban City pay the penalty

In the only fixture on Sunday, Marumo Gallants were made to sweat for their win by second-tier Durban City, who took them to extra time, only to be undone by their poorly taken penalties. 

To be fair, it was a boring encounter that was an anti-climax to all the action of the previous day. Goal-scoring chances were few and far between. 

However, the home side had a big shout for a penalty during extra time. Christopher Sithole brought Saziso Magawana down in the box, but referee Thulo Mokhele waved away Durban City's pleas. 

Despite their gallant effort, the Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit's Nedbank Cup road ended as they lost 4-1 in the ensuing shootout. 

Dream final

With Chiefs set to play the winner between Sundowns and Sekhukhune and Pirates up against Gallants in the last four, it goes without saying that the Soweto Derby is the dream final of many.

The two sides enjoy the biggest support in South African football and last met in a cup final in 2014, which Amakhosi edged 1-0 courtesy of a Tefu Mashamaite header.

Nasreddine Nabi's men are out to end a decade-long silverware drought, while The Buccaneers are keen to add a third successive Nedbank Cup trophy to their cabinet.

Anybody seen Saleng?  

Bafana Bafana B made light work of Egypt in a second round, second leg CAF CHAN qualifier clash in Cairo on Sunday evening with a 3-1 win.

Captain Neo Maema opened the scoring in the first half, before Yandisa Mfolozi and Siphelele Luthuli also registered their names on the score sheet to put the tie to bed. 

The 4-2 aggregate win means Molefi Ntseki's men advance to the next round,where they face Malawi in May for a chance to qualify for the tournament to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania later this year.

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Bafana, however, had to do it without star man Saleng, who was surprisingly released from camp along with a few other players. Reports have suggested the winger did not return to Pirates, as he was also missing from the match-day squad over the weekend. 

The 26-year-old's future remains a subject of controversy with the clock ticking down on both the winger and the Soweto giants.

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