BIDVEST Wits secured a place in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinal draw in Joburg on Thursday following a 3-2 win on penalties over Black Leopards at Thohoyandou Stadium, in Venda today.
This was after the teams drew 1-1 at full-time.
Wits keeper Ricardo Goss was the hero as he denied Walter Munyai, Karabo Tshepe and Lesedi Kapinga the chance to score from the spot, while Robyn Johannes, Elias Pelembe and Keagan Ritchie converted their penalties to the relief of coach Gavin Hunt.
Wits striker Gift Motupa silenced the vocal Leopards fans in the 35th minute when he broke the deadlock with a low shot from inside the penalty box following a terrific cross from Pelembe. However, Leopards top goal scorer Mwape Musonda cancelled Motupa's lead with a great header in the 80th minute to force the game into extra time.
The clash was rescheduled after last week's match was abandoned in the first half due to heavy rain with Leopards leading 1-0 via Kapinga's 37th minute goal. However, the match was started from scratch with Lidoda Duvha losing their advantage.
Wits were favorites to progress further having beaten Leopards 1-0 in a league game at the same venue in December last year. The Clever Boys aim to win the league and cup double since they are leading the pack in the Absa Premiership with three points ahead of second placed Mamelodi Sundowns on 37 points from 20 matches.
On the other hand, Leopards were hoping to repeat the performances that saw them reach the final of same competition in 2011 where they lost 3-1 to Soweto giants Orlando Pirates. Dylan Kerr's coached side were eager to return to winning ways having lost two consecutive league games, a 3-0 defeat to Bloemfontein Celtic and Mamelodi Sundowns who beat them by the same margin.