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Cape Town - Free State Stars continued their upper hand on Bidvest Wits as they beat them 5-4 on penalties during their Nedbank Cup Last Eight match at Goble Park Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The tightly contested affair couldn't produce goals in regulation time and it was decided via the penalty spot when Moeketsi Sekola, Lucky Mohomi, Paulus Masehe, Davis Nkausu and Ayanda Nkosi scored to boot Wits out of the competition.
The Students saw Daine Klate, Henrico Botes, Dillon Sheppard and Sibusiso Vilakazi score but defender Sfiso Hlanti missed his spot-kick.
The match was the second clash between the two giants in a week after their 0-0 draw in the Absa Premiership last weekend.
In the sixth minute, James Keene threatened the hosts when he took his shot in the box but his effort went wide off goalkeeper Johnny Mathole's posts.
Stars only managed to get their first chance in the 12th minute when Makhehleni Makhaula unleashed a shot, but his effort was way too high to trouble Moeneeb Josephs.
Towards the 20th minute, Ea Lla Koto dominated the proceedings but Danny Venter missed a wonderful opportunity in the 33rd minute to put his side in the lead.
With five minutes remaining in the half, Keene nearly capitalised on poor communication between Mathole and his defence when he tried to chip the ball, but his effort went inches wide.
It was 0-0 at the interval.
Giovanni Solinas' side started better and three minutes into the second half Bokang Thlone nearly bagged the lead when he beat his marker in the box, but his attempt hit the side of the net.
After 54 minutes of action, Nkosi also came close to beating Josephs after a great run, but his pass was poor as he tried to lay the ball off for the unmarked Venter in the box.
As Gavin Hunt's men rushed to find an opener, they were awarded a set piece in the 68th minute, but Hlanti produced a wonderful save from Mathole following a well struck free kick on the right side of the field
The final 10 minutes of the tie failed to produce clear cut chances.
In injury time, Wits received a set piece on the d-line, but Klate couldn't lower his effort.
Both sides kept the ball as the first half of the extra time drew to a close.
Wits' skipper, Vilakazi made a good run towards the box six minutes into the second half of injury time, but his delivery was fisted away by Mathole and Botes failed to pounce on the rebound
With three minutes to go to penalties, Wits' Vilakazi took a shot from the edge of the box, Mathole showed his reflexes and punched it away.
After 30 minutes of extra time, neither side could score and the match had to be decided on penalties which the home side won.
Stars now join SuperSport United in the semi-finals who beat Mpumalanga Black Aces 2-1 on Friday night.
Free State Stars: (0) 0
Bidvest Wits: (0) 0
*Free State won 5-4 on penalties
