Carling Knockout: Durban City run away in extra time to advance

A surprising source of goals lifted Durban City to victory over Polokwane City on Friday as South Africa’s Carling Knockout Cup got underway. Defender Fezile Gcaba scored a hat-trick for the surprise Betway Premiership package as Gavin Hunt’s side advanced to the quarterfinals at Chatsworth Stadium.

🏆 ℂ𝔸ℝ𝕃𝕀ℕ𝔾 𝕂ℕ𝕆ℂ𝕂𝕆𝕌𝕋 🏆

⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: Fezile Gcaba gets a hat-trick!

𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 4⃣➖1⃣ 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲

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The former Orlando Pirates player and South Africa U-20 national team regular looked as surprised as anybody when he headed in the final goal after the hosts enjoyed a dominant spell in extra time following a 1-1 draw through ninety minutes. Polokwane City equalized late to cancel out Gcaba’s 12th minute opener but it all fell apart for the Limpopo Province side in the extra session.

Durban City’s defenders were hungry to contribute on the other side of the pitch and it was Mfanafuthi Mkhize who put the Citizens up for good in the 93rd minute with a scissor kick finish after another set piece caused chaos in the Polokwane penalty area.

🏆 ℂ𝔸ℝ𝕃𝕀ℕ𝔾 𝕂ℕ𝕆ℂ𝕂𝕆𝕌𝕋 🏆

⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: The Citizens have restored their lead!

𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 2⃣➖1⃣ 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲

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While set pieces were the downfall of Polokwane, Gcaba was eager to prove he could score with his feet and he put Durban City up two goals in extra time with a powerful finish after cutting inside from the right wing in the 111th minute. Completing his hat-trick a few minutes later added insult to injury for the visitors.

The Carling Knockout continues on Saturday with a slate of four matches including Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in action. Pirates host Siwelele while Sundowns will host Marumo Gallants with both teams expected to heavily rotate their squads after a busy stretch of matches.