SKW, Ramblers through after penalty drama

RAMBLERS and Cymot SKW progressed to the semi-finals of the FNB Cup after both teams won penalty shootouts, against Orlando Pirates and African Stars respectively, at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium yesterday.

SKW had their keeper Heribert Kapeng to thank as he brought off two fine saves in the shootout to see them through 4-3 on penalties, while Ramblers keeper Lukas Hashiti saved Wilfred Coetzee’s spot kick to give them a 5-4 shootout victory. Neither match lived up to expectations as the defences dominated and both matches ended goalless after 90 minutes of play.The Stars-SKW encounter was evenly contested, with few chances in the first half.Jacky Stephanus headed inches wide for SKW, from a Warren Neidel freekick, while Stars’ captain Andrew Tjahikika also headed wide from a corner.In the second half, SKW’s Elias Lisaku had a goal disallowed for offside, while goalie Kapeng brought off a fine save from a powerful shot by Getzen Ndjiharine.In the penalty shootout, Kapeng pulled off two great saves from Dennis Ngueza and Collin Kaurianga’s shots, and although Max Mbaeva saved Henzel Subeb’s shot, it wasn’t enough as SKW won 4-3.RAMBLERS HOLD OUT Pirates had only themselves to blame for their defeat to Ramblers.Ramblers defender Dylan Mieze was sent off for swearing in the 35th minute, but despite enjoying a surfeit of possession, Pirates couldn’t make their numerical advantage count.Prates launched attack after attack in the second half but could not get past Ramblers’ resolute defence.Rudi Louw missed a great chance when he shot wide with only the goalie to beat, while Johannes Seibeb also shot wide from close range.Ramblers also had their chances, with Jeremia Baisako coming closest with a cracking shot that was well saved by Athiel Mbaha.In the penalty shootout, all the players hit the back of the net until Lukas Hashiti saved Wilfred Coetzee’s shot, to put Ramblers into the semifinals.SKW 3 OSHAKATI CITY 0 In the first round on Saturday, Cymot SKW beat Oshakati City 3-0.Oshakati were in with a chance for most of the game, but missed two penalties and had a player sent off in the final minutes as their frustrations boiled over.Oshakati did most of the early attacking with Cascas Angula and Tara and Muna Katupose giving SKW’s defence a tough time.But it was SKW who took the lead just before halftime when a Warren Neidel freekick beat Oshakati’s wall and hit the corner of the net.Oshakati had a great chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty after Ralph Ellinger handled in the box, but Cascas Angula completely missed the target, kicking past the left hand upright.SKW went further ahead in the 75th minute when Eino Hidulika latched onto a long clearance and beat Oshakati keeper Melksedek Shiku from close range.Referee Matthew Katjimune awarded Oshakati another penalty after a foul in the box, but SKW keeper Heribert Kapeng brought off a fine save from Tara Katupose’s shot.Farao Hangula was sent off for a foul with ten minutes remaining and Edmund Gowaseb wrapped up SKW’s victory with a great volley from the edge of the box.STARS BEAT BLUE WATERS African Stars were too strong for Blue Waters, winning 4-1.Stars got off to the perfect start when Brouwers Litombo broke free and beat Blue Waters keeper Melvin Bruwer to stab a high ball into the net in the 2nd minute.Towards the end of the first half, Stars captain Andrew Tjahikika nearly headed in from a corner but Bruwer pulled off a great save to turn the ball for a corner.Stars went further ahead midway through the second half when Ninja Karongee found Getzen Ndjiharine on the left wing, whose centre into the box eluded Blue Waters’ defence to float into the net.Karongee made it 3-0 minutes later when he lobbed the ball over Bruwer who was off his line, while Silver Suriyari made it 4-0 towards the end when he headed in a great cross by Edison Muheua.Blue Waters grabbed a consolation goal when David Josef and Kenny Malgas exchanged quick passes for Josef to put the ball into the net.For Stars, Karongee and Muheua had good games, while Congo Hindjou put in some good passes, although he was still not completely match fit.Blue Waters were thoroughly outplayed and need to go back to the drawing board.PIRATES 4 FEDICS 1 Orlando Pirates outplayed a game Fedics to comfortably win their first-round match 4-1.Pirates went on the attack from the start and immediately put Fedics’ defence under pressure.With a star-studded attack of Riaan Cloete, Rudi Louw, Patrick Jagger and Klaas Blom combining well, they had Fedics’ defence stretched to the limit.The first goal came in the 18th minute when Jagger scored after being put clear by Cloete and seven minutes later it was Cloete’s turn to score after being put clear by Dony Isaacks.Pirates maintained their grip on the match in the second half with Cloete and Jager each scoring another goal apiece, while Clarence Andries grabbed a consolation goal for Fedics.In the final first round match on Saturday, Ramblers were too strong for Tigers, winning 4-0.Danny Chilufya scored a hattrick while Pinias Jacob added the fourth to give them a comprehensive victory.Neither match lived up to expectations as the defences dominated and both matches ended goalless after 90 minutes of play.The Stars-SKW encounter was evenly contested, with few chances in the first half.Jacky Stephanus headed inches wide for SKW, from a Warren Neidel freekick, while Stars’ captain Andrew Tjahikika also headed wide from a corner.In the second half, SKW’s Elias Lisaku had a goal disallowed for offside, while goalie Kapeng brought off a fine save from a powerful shot by Getzen Ndjiharine.In the penalty shootout, Kapeng pulled off two great saves from Dennis Ngueza and Collin Kaurianga’s shots, and although Max Mbaeva saved Henzel Subeb’s shot, it wasn’t enough as SKW won 4-3.RAMBLERS HOLD OUT Pirates had only themselves to blame for their defeat to Ramblers.Ramblers defender Dylan Mieze was sent off for swearing in the 35th minute, but despite enjoying a surfeit of possession, Pirates couldn’t make their numerical advantage count.Prates launched attack after attack in the second half but could not get past Ramblers’ resolute defence.Rudi Louw missed a great chance when he shot wide with only the goalie to beat, while Johannes Seibeb also shot wide from close range.Ramblers also had their chances, with Jeremia Baisako coming closest with a cracking shot that was well saved by Athiel Mbaha.In the penalty shootout, all the players hit the back of the net until Lukas Hashiti saved Wilfred Coetzee’s shot, to put Ramblers into the semifinals.SKW 3 OSHAKATI CITY 0 In the first round on Saturday, Cymot SKW beat Oshakati City 3-0.Oshakati were in with a chance for most of the game, but missed two penalties and had a player sent off in the final minutes as their frustrations boiled over.Oshakati did most of the early attacking with Cascas Angula and Tara and Muna Katupose giving SKW’s defence a tough time.But it was SKW who took the lead just before halftime when a Warren Neidel freekick beat Oshakati’s wall and hit the corner of the net.Oshakati had a great chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty after Ralph Ellinger handled in the box, but Cascas Angula completely missed the target, kicking past the left hand upright.SKW went further ahead in the 75th minute when Eino Hidulika latched onto a long clearance and beat Oshakati keeper Melksedek Shiku from close range.Referee Matthew Katjimune awarded Oshakati another penalty after a foul in the box, but SKW keeper Heribert Kapeng brought off a fine save from Tara Katupose’s shot.Farao Hangula was sent off for a foul with ten minutes remaining and Edmund Gowaseb wrapped up SKW’s victory with a great volley from the edge of the box.STARS BEAT BLUE WATERS African Stars were too strong for Blue Waters, winning 4-1.Stars got off to the perfect start when Brouwers Litombo broke free and beat Blue Waters keeper Melvin Bruwer to stab a high ball into the net in the 2nd minute.Towards the end of the first half, Stars captain Andrew Tjahikika nearly headed in from a corner but Bruwer pulled off a great save to turn the ball for a corner.Stars went further ahead midway through the second half when Ninja Karongee found Getzen Ndjiharine on the left wing, whose centre into the box eluded Blue Waters’ defence to float into the net.Karongee made it 3-0 minutes later when he lobbed the ball over Bruwer who was off his line, while Silver Suriyari made it 4-0 towards the end when he headed in a great cross by Edison Muheua.Blue Waters grabbed a consolation goal when David Josef and Kenny Malgas exchanged quick passes for Josef to put the ball into the net.For Stars, Karongee and Muheua had good games, while Congo Hindjou put in some good passes, although he was still not completely match fit.Blue Waters were thoroughly outplayed and need to go back to the drawing board.PIRATES 4 FEDICS 1 Orlando Pirates outplayed a game Fedics to comfortably win their first-round match 4-1.Pirates went on the attack from the start and immediately put Fedics’ defence under pressure.With a star-studded attack of Riaan Cloete, Rudi Louw, Patrick Jagger and Klaas Blom combining well, they had Fedics’ defence stretched to the limit.The first goal came in the 18th minute when Jagger scored after being put clear by Cloete and seven minutes later it was Cloete’s turn to score after being put clear by Dony Isaacks.Pirates maintained their grip on the match in the second half with Cloete and Jager each scoring another goal apiece, while Clarence Andries grabbed a consolation goal for Fedics.In the final first round match on Saturday, Ramblers were too strong for Tigers, winning 4-0.Danny Chilufya scored a hattrick while Pinias Jacob added the fourth to give them a comprehensive victory.