Bester misses penalty as Wits dispatch FS Stars

Bidvest Wits are through to the Last 16 of the Nedbank Cup after beating Free State Stars 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out after 120 minutes of football ended goalless on Saturday night at Bidvest Stadium. Sameehg Doutie, Onismor Bhasera, Thulani Hlatshwayo and Getaneh Kebede converted from the spot after extra time and ensured Gavin Hunt’s men progressed into the next round. Moeneeb Josephs was the hero in the penalty shootout, saving the crucial penalty from Rudolf Bester after misses from Paulus Masehe and Papy Faty. The hosts started with urgency after Fikru Tefera almost headed home following a great cross from Doutie as early as the second minute. As the game progressed, the visitors were the better side as they played in the Wits half. However, the combination between the experienced Paulus Masehe and Danny Venter could not produce the results in the 18th minute. Three minutes later, Katlego Mashego and Bokang Thlone linked up on the right, but defender Thulani Hlatshwayo cleared the cross in the box. A few seconds later, Angelo Kerspuy's attempt from outside the box forced a brilliant save from Josephs who was well positioned. It was evident that the both sides would head to the tunnel with no goals separating them. It was the Bethlehem outfit that came out the better side after the break when Venter missed a golden opportunity in the 48th minute following a pass from the left, but he failed to beat Josephs in a one-one-one situation. Josephs made another save to deny Venter one-on-one in the 63rd minute - the forward lost his marker, but his shot was blocked by the keeper. Ten minutes later, Doutie's cross from the right met the hand of Mathole who made it impossible to reach Jabulani Shongwe. With 14 minutes to go, both sides found it hard to get an opener when a cross from the right found substitute Thethani who laid it back for Venter, but again Wits cleared. In the 90th minute, Venter missed for the fourth time when his shot went wide and the match went to extra time. The first half of extra time could not produce fireworks as both teams were a bit exhausted, however, it was the hosts who could’ve scored when Lemessa’s shot hit the woodwork in the 103rd minute. Wits had their chance of the game when Kebede made his run into the box, but when he tried to pick his teammate, Fikru, his cross was cut out by the keeper. JOHANNESBURG SUPERSPORT