Kaizer Chiefs were eliminated from the Nedbank Cup after suffering a 5-4 defeat on penalties by Highlands Park at the Makhulong Stadium on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The Lions of the North advanced to this stage of the competition after claiming a comfortable 2-0 victory over Uthongathi in the previous round.

Amakhosi, meanwhile, made their way into the round of 16 after edging GladAfrica Championship side Royal Eagles 1-0 at the FNB Stadium in their previous round.

This was the third meeting between the sides after Amankhosi secured a 3-2 and a comfortable 3-0 victory over Highlands in the Absa Premiership.

Highlands showed their intent early on after Peter Shalulile forced Itumeleng Khune into making a great save to deny the attacker from close range.

Marlon Heugh came to his side’s rescue in the 20th minute when he produced a good save to keep out Anthony Akumu’s powerful effort from distance.

Heugh was again called into action five minutes later when he denied Lebogang Manyama’s set piece.

Willard Katsande should have broken the deadlock in the 33rd minute, but the Zimbabwean volleyed his effort wide of the target.

Neither side were able to find the back of the net in the first stanza as the game went into the break locked at 0-0.

The home side got the second half off to a great start and should’ve have made it 1-0, but Lindokuhle Mbatha fired his effort wide of the target after latching on to a cross from Mokete Mogaila.

Highlands then took the lead in the 56th minute when Shalulile found the net from close range.

However, Highlands’ lead didn’t last long as Sello Motsepe put the ball into his own net six minutes later to make it 1-1.

Amakhosi thought they should have been awarded a penalty in the 74th minute but the referee waved play on.

Abdi Banda could have put the game to bed seven minutes later but failed to keep his effort down as it sailed over the crossbar from close range.

Neither side were able to find the winning goal after 90 minutes of play, forcing the game into extra time.

Samir Nurkovic had the only real chance in the first half of extra time but blazed his strike high of the target.

Khune kept his side in the game in the second half of extra time when he made a goal-denying save to thwart Musa Nyatama’s shot at goal.

The teams could not be separated after 120 minutes of play as the game was forced to be settled in a penalty shootout.

However, Highlands managed come out on top to secure a 5-4 victory over Chiefs to advance to the quarter-finals.