Pirates bow out of TKO to Polokwane

Cape Town - Polokwane City caused something of an upset as they beat Orlando Pirates 4-2 on penalties after Saturday's Telkom Knockout encounter ended 2-2 at the end of regulation time at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.

In the opening exchanges, City almost caught Bucs off-guard when Thabang Klaas got on the end of a cross from Rodney Ramagalela but Justice Chabalala blocked the resulting strike.

Ramagalela was in charge for City’s opening goal as he set up Rendai Ndou, who headed home into an empty goal to give his team an advantage in the second minute. 

The Sea Robbers struck back as Ntsikelelo Nyauza equalised for the home side in 13th minute with a hit from just over 10-yards out. 

Thereafter, Thembinkosi Lorch put in a good low cross for Thamsanqa Gabuza who then missed an open goal from close range as his attempt went over the bar just before the 25th minute. 

Pirates continued their pressure and were awarded a penalty on the half hour mark which Mpho Makola took. However, he was denied by a brilliant save by George Chigova. 

The home side were perhaps unfortunate to not be awarded a spot-kick when Lorch was seemingly brought down in the box. 

Ndou made it 2-1 for Rise and Shine before the interval though Makola made up for his miss as he headed home before the break to make it 2-2. It stayed that way until extra-time for both teams. 

City were the brighter side in the added 30 minutes and a headed effort at the near post was kept out by goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands foot in the second minute. Late on, substitute Bongile Booi missed a clear-cut chance as his effort sailed over the bar. 

Polokwane City took the victory 4-2 on penalties after Marc van Heerden and Nyauza missed their attempts while Walter Maponyane won it for his team.