Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp praised his side’s maturity and attitude after they came from behind to score a late equaliser and eventually win 4-2 in a penalty shootout over Cape Town City in the Telkom Knockout Cup Last 16 match on Saturday afternoon.

Chiefs had a golden chance to open the scoring in the encounter at the Cape Town stadium, but Daniel Cardoso missed from the spot after Khama Billiat had forced Tarriq Fielies into a hand ball in the box.

The Citizens made Amakhosi pay soon after when Kermit Erasmus scored a cracker to hand his team the advantage.

With both teams creating an avalanche of chances, it was Chiefs who bagged the next goal as Samir Nurkovic fired home with 10 minutes remaining.

The Soweto giants held their nerve in the shoot out to seal their progression and the German coach was pleased with the attitude shown by his team.

‘It was an entertaining event. We had a good start and missing the penalty is definitely something that sits on your shoulders then two injuries to Kearyn Baccus and Bernard Parker. We lost a little bit [of a balance] in that period,’ Middendorp told SuperSport TV.

‘But on the other hand, we have shown a certain spirit and attitude as a team knowing that we have a qualified opponent.

‘Coming back to the final minutes, going through the extra time, it was a good and matured manner. I think we have taken the penalty shoot-outs, of course, we enjoyed the event and the entertainment but on the other side, you feel sorry for the opponent.

‘I think they have really fought for this too. Probably they could have deserved it too but small details decide and we have seen the final two shots after extra time.’