Sekhukhune beat Stellenbosch to set up Nedbank Cup final against ...

Junior Mendieta and Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya

Sekhukhune United was tested and made to sweat as they beat Stellenbosch FC 4-3 on penalties in the Nedbank Cup semi-final under the floodlights at the Danie Craven Stadium on Sunday.

The Kempton Park outfit continues to hold onto their unbeaten run against Stellies, dating to 2021, as their previous four meetings ended in three draws and one defeat.

Brandon Truter's charges will now meet tournament favourites Orlando Pirates, who overcame a plucky Kaizer Chiefs, at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday, 27 May.

The former Richards Bay and AmaZulu head coach arrived at the club in early November 2022, replacing Kaitano Tembo as United were anchored in the relegation zone. The club endured a torrid first half of the season before the World Cup break, only winning two of 12 league matches.

Truter’s arrival sparked a revival, and he has fuelled their fire, pushing them to 11 wins in 20 matches in all competitions.

Their Nedbank Cup run started with a convincing 6-0 win over Liver Brothers in early February before sinking Cape Town Spurs and then denying Chippa United before being pitted against Stellies, a team who has yet to taste victory against the Johannesburg outfit.

And that would continue but only with a fight to the end.

Stellies head coach Steve Barker and his charges have endured a roller-coaster season following the death of Oshwin Andries earlier this year.

The SA under-20 midfielder died after stab wounds to the head, and the Cape side set out to dedicate the rest of their Nedbank Cup run to their fallen teammate.

Less than a week after his untimely passing in February, Stellies put Swallows to the sword in the Round of 32 with a convincing 3-0 win to get the ball rolling on their heartfelt quest.

Barker's charges trounced TS Galaxy 6-3 before sinking defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in a shocking but deserved victory at sold-out Athlone Stadium.

Stellies booked a home semi-final and had one last chance to prove their worth, and as early as the sixth minute, Iqraam Rayners put goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare to the test, which he dealt with ease.

But former Bafana Bafana midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo responded a minute later with a similar test for Lee Langeveld. It brought the best out of the veteran goalkeeper as he stretched out to keep the scores goalless.

Stellies star Junior Mendieta had the next best chance as he jumped highest to the ball, above Daniel Cardoso, and headed an effort towards goal, which hit the upright.

The Argentinian was again at his best as he danced past four players before sending a through ball towards Rayners, who saw his strike blocked by Edwin Gyimah.

Sekhukhune’s best chance of the game came through Pogiso Mahlangu as he took advantage of Langeveld slipping, but Vusi Sibiya was in the right spot at the right time, blocking the shot off the goalline.

Matters could not be settled in extra time either, as Stellies registered 24 shots with only five on target, while Sekhukhune attempted 16 shots at goal with five hitting the target.

Penalties soon followed, but both teams made goalkeeping changes, with Sage Stephens replacing Langeveldt and Ntokozo Mtshweni coming on for Sangare.  

Rayners, who has been in scintillating form since returning to Stellies, took the first penalty, and his effort met the palms of Mtshweni. Stephens then came to the rescue to level matters by punching Sibusiso Vilakazi’s strike away.

But Truter’s belief in changing goalkeepers worked out as Mtshweni put a glove to Juan Carlos Ortiz Hernández’s penalty effort, and the Sekhukhune bench flooded the pitch in euphoria.

The final between Sekhukhune and Pirates promises to be an exciting encounter, with the winner earning financial rewards and a chance to compete in the CAF Confederation Cup, Africa's second-tier inter-club competition.