Santos had goalkeeper Wayne Roberts to thank as they advanced through to the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup after beating Orlando Pirates 5-4 on penalties at the Athlone Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Roberts made saves three times in the shoot-out after the match had ended 2-2 after full-time.
Pirates had the better chances in the first half, but despite starting the game brightly, they still went into the break a goal down.
The Buccaneers had the first clear-cut chance of the game when Joseph Makhanya squared the ball to Excellent Walaza, but his low shot was well saved by Roberts in the 17th minute.
Erwin Isaacs had a great chance to put the Peoples’ Team in front four minutes later, but his close range shot was brilliantly saved by Bucs custodian Senzo Meyiwa.
Six minutes before the half time break Bucs were reduced to just 10 men when a rash challenge by Lucas Thwala was punished with a red card.
The resultant free kick was taken by Isaacs, who located Musa Otieno, allowing the giant Kenyan to steer his header into goal, beating Meyiwa with a downward header at the near post.
Four minutes into the second half the Cape side added their second when Ryan Chapman scored with a cracking drive from the edge of the area.
But Pirates fought back and in the 60th minute they reduced the deficit when Teko Modise converted a penalty after he had been brought down in the box by Thembile Kanono.
The equalising goal always looked to be on the cards after that as the Bucs pushed forward with renewed vigour and their second goal came in the 79th minute when Bennett Chenene glanced Modise’s free kick past Roberts.
Despite the relentless pressure from the Johannesburg side, Santos managed to hold on for extra time, but did have Kanono sent off in the 90th minute after a second bookable offence.
Extra time started brightly, with Chenene blasting over the bar from just five yards out.
Rodgers then had a couple of opportunities to score for the home side, but on each occasion was denied by an inspirational Meyiwa.
The second half of extra time again saw Rodgers threatening Meyiwa’s goal, as first he flashed a shot past goal and then had a header saved in the 119th minute.
Sebastian Bax and Musa Otieno both had their penalties blocked by the Pirates custodian, but Roberts denied Lebohang Mokoena, Teko Modise
and Lindokhule Mkhanazi to win the match. ‒ Sapa