Bidvest Wits beat holders Kaizer Chiefs 4-2 on penalties to book their place in this season’s Nedbank Cup final. The game ended 2-2 after extra-time at the Bidvest Wits Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Sibusiso Vilakazi handed Bidvest Wits and early lead before Katlego Mphela pulled Chiefs level eight minutes before the break.

Sthembiso Ngcobo regained the lead for the hosts shortly after the interval, before George Maluleka again levelled matters on the day.

After two hours of play the game was decided from the penalty spot. Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Siphiwe Tshabalala missed Chiefs’ opening two spot-kicks, while Bidvest Wits were faultless from the spot with Omnisor Bhasera scoring the winner to book the Clever Boys’ place in the final.

Ngcobo lined-up against his former side while Letladi Madubanye slotted into the midfield in place of the injured Papy Faty. Siyabonga Nhlapo also returned to the starting XI for Gavin Hunt's men.

Kaizer Chiefs boss Stuart Baxter started with three recognised strikers. Katlego Mphela, Kingston Nkhatha and Bernard Parker were all named in the starting XI, while George Maluleka replaced namesake George Lebese, who dropped to the bench.

The home side were almost gifted the opener in the 17th minute. Bernard Parker's back pass from half-way bounced short of Itumeleng Khune who was beaten in the air by Ngcobo, the ball cannoned off the underside off the post before Tefu Mashamaite cleared from danger to spare Parker's blushes.

Vilakzi opened the scoring from the penalty spot six minutes later after being hauled down by Khune inside the area. The Bidvest Wits captain dusted himself off and coolly sent Khune the wrong way to hand the hosts the ascendancy.

Chiefs pulled level through a penalty of their own in the 37th minute. George Maluleka was brought down inside the area by Phumlani Ntshangase, Mphela duly stepped up and fired the ball past Moeneeb Josephs to bag his second goal in as many games.

The teams headed into the break level pegging. Bidvest Wits regained the lead two minutes into the second stanza, the ball fell to Ngcobo inside the area and his first-time shot nestled inside the back of the net.

The Amakhosi squared things up once again in the 54th minute. Great persistence by Bernard Parker down the left flank saw the ball fall favourably for Nkhatha, who in-turn laid it on a silver-platter for Maluleka to prod the ball into an empty net.

Ryan Chapman almost decided matters in regulation time seconds after coming on as a substitute, his low effort going just wide of Khune's goal.

The game's tempo died down as the half grew to an end with the game ultimately heading to extra-time after what was an eventful 90 minutes of play.

The best chance of extra-time fell to Parker just after the short interval. The Bafana Bafana striker, whose goals have dried up of late, had the beating of Josephs, but his chip cannoned off the woodwork.

Chiefs continued to pile on the pressure, but were unable to find a way past Josephs and consequently the tie was decided from the penalty-spot.

It is the third year in succession that a team coached by Gavin Hunt reaches the final of the Nedbank Cup. Bidvest Wits last won the tournament in 2010.

Bidvest Wits (1) 2 (Vilakazi 23' Ngcobo 47')


Kaizer Chiefs (1) 2 (Mphela 37' Maluleka 54')

Penalties:


Kaizer Chiefs: (Letsholonyane miss; Tshabalala miss; Parker score; Maluleka score)


Bidvest Wits: (Vilakazi score; Chapman score; Kebede score; Bhasera score)

Bidvest Wits win 4-2 on penalties.

Bidvest Wits: Josephs; Nhlapo, Mngonyama, Gumede, Bhasera, Langwe (Booth 63'), Madubanya, Ntshangase, Shongwe (Kebede 108'), Vilakazi, Ngcobo (Chapman 83')

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune; Gaxa (Moleko 81'), Mathoho, Mashamaite, Masilela, Katsande, Maluleka, Letsholonyane, Mphela (Rusike 90+2'), Nkhatha (Tshabalala 96'), Parker