Milford were the last side to book their place in the last-16 of the Nedbank Cup after a shock penalty shootout win over Kaizer Chiefsat the FNB Stadium on Sunday evening.
While there were plenty of chances in the 120 minutes, especially for Chiefs, Siphamandla’s Hleza’s heroics in goal for Milford kept the Amakhosi at bay.
And Hleza would be the hero at the end as he scored the winning penalty to book the KwaZulu-Natal side’s spot in the last 16.
Chiefs started controlling the game with possession and nearly took the lead in the sixth minute through Ashley du Preez but his effort from close range hit the crossbar.
It seemingly set the tone of frustration as a couple of half chances somehow stayed out of Hleza’s net.
Nkosingphile Ngcobo also had a long-range effort whizz past the past but for all their chances, the second-tier side held their own and had several promising counterattacks.
The second half started Milford grew into their own and started to look more confident and assured despite Chiefs probing for the opener, which nearly came from Mdududzi Shabalala.
A moment for the crowd to be lifted was needed and shortly after the miss Shabalala, Christain Saile and Ngcobo were hauled off for Pule Mmodi, Ranga Chivaviro and a professional debut for 18-year-old Mfundo Vilakazi.
He showed some promise with his ability to switch play and from dead-ball situations but it wasn’t enough to help them break the deadlock inside regulation time.
After 102 minutes, Chiefs were handed a chance to take the lead from the spot when Unathi Somabhele handled the ball inside the area but Hleza saved Chivaviro’s effort.
With ten minutes remaining Milford were reduced to ten men when Vusumuzi Mthabela was shown a second yellow card.
Vilakazi tried from range with two minutes to go, but the ball deflected behind.
Just before the whistle blew, Chiefs had another opportunity to get the winner, but a goalmouth flurry ended with a clearance off the line and Milford hung on for the draw.
The game went on to penalties, and Edson Castillo shot his penalty, Chiefs’ second, over the goal. With all other penalties scored, Milford won the shootout with a 5-4 scoreline.
