Watch VideoDurban City hold their nerve in shootout to reach Nedbank Cup quarter-finals

Darren Keet of Durban City saves a penalty during the shootout against Upington City in the Nedbank Cup last 16 match at Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium in Upington. Durban Citybooked their place in the quarter-finals of theNedbank Cupafter edgingUpington City2-0 in a dramatic penalty shootout at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium on Saturday evening. 2-0 in a dramatic penalty shootout at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium on Saturday evening.

The two sides could not be separated at 0-0 after 90 minutes and extra time, forcing the tie into penalties to determine who would advance. Upington were reduced to 10 men for much of the second half and the entirety of extra time following the dismissal of Mario Visagie. However, despite enjoying a numerical advantage, the KwaZulu-Natal outfit were unable to break the deadlock before the shootout.

Upington had hoped to mirror whatDurban Cityachieved last season by reaching the last eight after eliminatingTS Galaxyat the same stage of the competition. Instead, they found themselves on the wrong side of a tense encounter between two teams well acquainted from their Motsepe Foundation Championship days. With a quarter-final berth at stake, previous meetings counted for little.

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Both sides had already eliminated PSL opposition in the last 32, progressing via penalties — a clear indication that another tight affair was likely. The match unfolded cautiously, with neither side prepared to take early risks. Although half-chances were created, clear-cut opportunities were scarce, and composure in the final third was lacking. Hot conditions added to the intensity, resulting in a scrappy but fiercely contested contest.

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