Mamelodi Sundowns advanced to the Telkom Knockout semi-finals after eliminating Chippa United 4-3 on penalties at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Sunday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
The Chili Boys secured their first win of the season when they eliminated Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 in the last-16 of this competition at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium on 22 October.
Meanwhile, Sundowns got to this stage of the competition after thrashing AmaZulu 5-0 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on 20 October.
The two sides have already in the the Absa Premiership this season, with Chippa scoring a late goal to secure a 1-1 draw at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Chippa got off to the perfect start and took the lead in the 13th minute when Chidi Kwem showed his composure to find the back of the net from inside the box following a through ball from Tercious Malepe.
The Chili Boys continued to dominated proceedings as they went in search of a second goal of the game.
The home side almost doubled their lead with 10 minutes remaining in the first half when Kwem made his way through on goal but saw his low curling effort saved by Denis Onyango.
Sundowns had their first real chance to level matters two minutes before the break but Mauricio Affonso failed to direct his header towards goal before Gaston Sirino hit the upright a minute later.
The home side managed to hold on to their lead over Sundowns as the game went into the half time break.
Pitso Mosimane opted to make his first chance at the start of the second half when Phakamani Mahlambi came on to replace Jose Ali Meza.
Sundowns were then awarded a penalty in the 50th minute. Sirino steppes up and made no mistake to convert his spot-kick.
Chippa then restored their lead seven minutes later when Maziya looped the ball over Onyango to make it 2-1.
The home side made a change of their own in the 65th minute Silas Maziya came off and was replaced by Kurt Lentjies.
Sundowns got back on level terms four minutes later when Patrick Tignyemb spilled a cross into the path of Sirino, who slotted the ball into an empty net.
Mosimane made his second change of the game when Lyle Lakay came on for Sirino.
At the other end, Chippa made a double change a few minutes apart from each other when Kwem and Xolani Mahola made way for Rhulani Manzini and Phetso Maphanga.
Neither side were able to score the winning goal after 90 minutes which forced the match into extra-time
Chippa were reduced to 10-men in the first half of extra-time when Malepe was shown his marching orders in the 100th minute.
Mosimane made his final change of the game five minutes later when Mkhulise came on for Mahlambi, who came on in the second half of regulation time.
The game could not be settled after 120 minutes of play and was forced to be settled in a penalty shootout.
The Brazilians won the penalty shootout 4-3 to advance to the next round of the competition.
