Goalkeeper Dino Visser was the hero as Platinum Stars’ edged Maritzburg United 3-1 on penalties in a Telkom Knockout last-16 encounter at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.

The Team of Choice went into the encounter on the back of a seven-game winless streak, while Dikwena were on the back of a nine-game streak without victory, having played to a 1-1 draw with Free State Stars in their most recent clash.

The visitors looked the more dominant side in the opening exchanges, and almost broke the lead in spectacular fashion when Katlego Otladisa’s bicycle kick sailed just wide of the upright in the ninth minute.

The home side looked a shadow of their usual selves as they relied on counter-attacks. However, Devon Saal looked lively for the home side and almost scored in the 30th minute, but his effort from range was deflected for a corner.

Saal proved influential ten minutes later as he gifted Evans Rusike with a golden opportunity to open the scoring, but the forward miscued his effort with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Roger de Sa introduced Robert Ng’ambi for Thabang Sesinyi after 53 minutes as Dikwena upped their efforts at getting a goal.

De Sa opted for his final roll of the dice as he introduced Ryan De Jongh and Bongi Ntuli for the final 15 minutes. However, neither side were able to find the opener in normal time, nor in extra time, forcing the game into penalties.

Stars goalkeeper Visser emerged as the hero, saving two penalties as Dikwena triumphed 3-1 in the shoot-out.

Maritzburg XI: 31. Ofori, 2. Onyango, 25. Xulu, 7. Saal, 3. Sanoka, 19. Rusike, 26. Shandu, 11. Makaringe, 15. Maboe, 22. Mokate, 36. Kunene.

P Stars XI: 35. Visser, 23. Mnguni, 4. Mwedihanga, 21. Zulu, 5. Sithole, 2. Mere, 12. Masalesa, 38. Monama, 36. Sesinyi, 39. Otladisa, 9. Mwila.

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/Backpagepix