Sekhukhune United defeated Stellebosch FC 4-3 on penalties following a 0-0 draw in a Nedbank Cup semifinal match at the Danie Craven Stadium on Sunday night.
The win saw Babina Noko reach the Nedbank Cup final for the first time in the club’s history and they now will take on Orlando Pirates at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on May 27.
Stellies, on the other hand, bowed out of the South African FA Cup having reached the semifinals of the lucrative tournament for the first time in the club’s history.
Stellies exerted pressure on the Babina Noko defence from the first whistle and the hosts were just unfortunate not to break the deadlock in the 14th minute as Junior Mendieta’s headed effort hit the upright.
Sekhukhune grew gradually into the match with Sammy Seabi looking lively in the middle of the park and the Mamelodi Sundowns loanee narrowly missed the target seven minutes before the half-hour mark.
At the other end, goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare was called into action by Jayden Adams in the 41st minute and the Ivory Coast international denied the youngster to ensure that the first-half ended goalless.
Stellies started the second-half brightly and they were just unlucky not to break the deadlock in the 47th minute as Devon Titus hit the woodwork, before the quick attacker was denied by Sangare six minutes later.
Both teams pushed for a goal towards the end of the second-half, but they couldn’t score and the match ended in a 0-0 draw in regulation time, and extra-time followed in the Winelands.
There were no goals in extra-time as the two teams created chances which they failed to convert and a penalty shootout followed after a 0-0 draw. Sekhukhune went on to win 4-3 on penalties with Sangare denying Iqraam Rayners and Juan Ortiz from the spot-kick.