Pitso Dladla credits faith after Durban City's shootout triumph

After the match ended 1-1 following 120 minutes at King Zwelithini Stadium, the contest was decided from the penalty spot. While City's players and technical staff gathered in a huddle before the shootout, Dladla chose to sit alone on the bench, taking a moment to seek divine intervention.

The coach later revealed that the decision was deliberate, explaining he needed a quiet moment to pray after witnessing Arrows miss several opportunities during the match that could have settled the tie in normal time.

City kept their composure when it mattered most, converting all five of their penalties to secure a 5-4 shootout victory and book their place in the semi-finals of the prestigious domestic cup competition.

"It's easy to say when it's done," said Dladla when asked whether he had been confident his side would prevail after the game.

"I never doubted my boys, but I was calling on all the divine powers - the footballing gods - because if Golden Arrows could miss so many chances during the 90 minutes, why would they then go on and also win on penalties?

"So that was in my mind. In football, it's rare to miss those kinds of chances and still win the game. I said, 'God brought us here, let us give ourselves this game.

"It was more about praying."

The victory was even more remarkable considering City had to play with 10 men for more than 40 minutes after defender Athini Jodwana was sent off in the 80th minute for deliberately handling the ball to stop a Golden Arrows counter-attack.

By reaching the last four, Durban City join fellow semi-finalists Casric Stars, Milford and TS Galaxy. The semi-final draw will take place on Monday, with all four teams now just one step away from the Nedbank Cup final.