WINDHOEK – Brave Warriors striker Peter Shalulile – who has made scoring a habit – was on target again as Highlands Park knocked opponents Kaizer Chiefs out of the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 clash on Saturday.
The match was played in Johannesburg at Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa.
It was Highlands who looked dangerous early on in the match as Shalulile went close to putting his side ahead inside the opening six minutes, but was denied by an excellent point-blank save by Itumeleng Khune.
Fast forward, momentum shifted to Amakhosi and desperate defending from Highlands prevented Zimbabwean international Khama Billiat and Serbian Samir Nurkovic with a succession of close-range defensive blocks.
Shalulile rose to the occasion scoring in the 57th minute. His goal came from a set-piece, an in-swinger from Luckyboy Mokoena to which the Namibian international connected, striking the ball into the net as Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Khune watched helplessly from the far post.
However, Highlands’ lead was short-lived as Sello Motsepe headed a cross-field ball off a free-kick from Amakhosi’s George Maluleka into his own net in the 63rd minute, scoring an own goal.
After the match ended 1-1 and although both teams created an avalanche of chances during extra time, the game would be decided on penalties as fate would have it.
Billiat’s miss in sudden death during the shoot-out saw Amakhosi crash out of the competition, with Musa Nyatama netting the winning kick for Highlands.
Chiefs lost 5-4 on penalties.
The highflying Shalulile was crowned man of the match and awarded N$5 000 for his relentless and scintillating performance.
“Thank you very much. It was not going to be an easy game against Kaizer Chiefs. We give all the glory to God. We managed to give them a tough time,” Shalulile said during the post-match interview.
According to the 26-year-old, his team executed its strategy as planned.
“We knew what we wanted. We knew what their strengths and weaknesses are [and we capitalised on that],” he said.
So far Shalulile has scored 12 goals in the Absa Premiership. Only one player, Gabadinho Mhango of Orlando Pirates has scored more goals than Shalulile with 14.
His Highlands Park lies seventh on the Premiership log with 30 points, 15 behind log leaders Kaizer Chiefs. – Nampa
