Cape Town - Bloemfontein Celtic came from behind against SuperSport United to win 5-4 on penalties in a Telkom Knockout last-16 game at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Saturday.
Match Summary
There wasn't much to separate the two sides in a first half in which SuperSport scored with one of only a few chances created. After doubling their lead, the visitors withered under a heavy storm from Celtic who clawed their way back into the game with two late goals to force the match into extra time.
Full Report
Despite a lively start, both teams struggled early on to create clear openings on goal.
Phunya Sele Sele had the first opportunity of the game on 24 minutes and could have taken the lead if Sipho Jembula had not got his angles all wrong with a close range header.
The deadlock was broken shortly afterwards when Aubrey Modiba beat the offside trap before steering the ball home from Siyabonga Nhlapo's cross.
Celtic were unable to offer much of a response as the Pretoria side took their lead into the break.
And the Free State side's task was made all the more daunting when SuperSport added their second goal as Jeremy Brockie fired in a volley 10 minutes into the second half after a great pass from Dove Wome.
Celtic did however mount a challenge and SuperSport stopper Reyaad Pieterse did superbly to keep out Victor Letsoala with 23 minutes to play.
The pressure was to pay dividends as Tshepo Rikhotso scored from the penalty spot after a shot had struck Tebogo Mokoena's outstretched arm.
Jacky Motshegwa levelled the game four minutes later when he turned in Rikhotso's cross 10 minutes before the end of regulation time.
Roggert Nyundu was sent off just before the end of the first period of extra time as the home side had their numbers reduced to 10.
Although SuperSport had the better of the extra time period, they couldn't find a winner as Modiba and Sipho Mbule were both denied by Patrick Tignyemb in goal for Celtic.
Tignyemb was to be the hero of the shoot-out as he saved Fagrie Lakay's spot kick before putting the winner past his opposite number Pieterse.