United, Chiefs for Supa8 finals
20 September 2004
It took penalties for SuperSport United to defeat a gutsy Wits University on Saturday at the Olympia stadium in Rustenburg in a dull SAA Supa8 Cup semifinal, booking the Pretoria-based side a place in the finals of the lucrative competition.
The two sides failed to break the a 1-all deadlock even after extra time, forcing the game into penalties, which SuperSport won 6-5.
Wits scored first in the 45th minute when Alois Bunjira converted a cross from Reagan Noble.
United equalised in the 79th minute through Manuel Bucuane, who connected a through-ball from teammate Dale Studzinski.
Wits could have wrapped up the game in the 86th and 89th minutes, but their wild shooting let them down. Elasto Kapoweza failed to score when his shot went over the crossbar, while Gareth Devine's shot was off target when he had a clear chance at goal.
Chiefs pip Swallows
Kaizer Chiefs' prolific goalscorer, Collins
Mbesuma, punished Moroka Swallows' defence on Sunday when he beat the off side trap in the 28th minute to net the only goal of the game in the other SAA Supa8 semifinal at King's Park stadium in Durban.
Swallows defender Mohammed Ouseb was caught napping when Arthur Zwane played the ball to Mbesuma on the right flank. Only when the assistant referee's flag stayed down did Ouseb realise his mistake and try to catch up with the 20-year-old Zambian who was headed for goal.
Mbesuma fired a powerful low shot to the far post, beating the advancing Swallows goalkeeper Greg Etafia.
David Radebe, who replaced the injured Mbesuma in the 83rd minute, could have put Chiefs 2-0 up in the 89th minute but ballooned his shot over the goalposts.
Chiefs will play SuperSport United in the finals of the competition on 2 October.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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