Arrows broken by penalty drama as Gallants progress

MARUMO Gallants will meet Orlando Pirates in the final of the Carling Knockout Cup after beating Golden Arrows 4-2 on penalties at the King Zwelithini Stadium yesterday.

- SMISO MSOMI

After an absorbing 2-2 draw in regulation time, Gallants held their nerve in the shootout to seal their passage to a second domestic cup final in three years, with goalkeeper Washington Árubi emerging as the hero once again.

The veteran shot-stopper saved Thabo Matlaba’s penalty before Ibrahim Bance stepped up to bury the decisive kick that sent Gallants into raptures and silenced the home crowd.

The encounter had sparked into life in the second half after a cagey opening 45 minutes where both sides were content to probe and contain.

Manqoba Mnggithi’s Arrows looked more adventurous early on, pressing high and using the width through Sboniso Madonsela and Thokozani Khumalo, but they found Arubi in inspired form.