Hat-trick hero Fezile Gcaba fires Durban City into Carling Knockout quarterfinals

City started strong, with defender Fezile Gcaba rising high to meet a beautiful cross from Sizwe Magawana to head the ball into the far corner in the 11th minute. Gcaba rose again in the closing stages of the opening stanza, but this time his header went wide.

A frustrated Rise and Shine coach Phuti Mohafe made a triple change to start the second half. It paid off, as Polokwane's attack began to make inroads. Try as they might, the City defence held firm well into the dying embers of the match.

But the visitors were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty for a handball in the box, and Lebohang Nkaki calmly slotted an 87th-minute equaliser to force extra time.

Polokwane's hope was short-lived. Three minutes into extra-time, City defender Nzuzo Mkhize's acrobatic finish saw them go 2-1 up.

City continued to press forward and that man Gcaba continued to be in the right place at the right time. First, he combined with Katlego Maphathe to fire the ball into the top corner, then he completed his hat-trick with another brilliant header from a corner to seal an ultimately convincing win for the PSL newcomers.

The first round of the Carling Knockout continues on Saturday as Orlando Pirates take on Siwelele - a repeat of their PSL fixture 11 days ago, which the Bucs won 1-0 - Orbit College face TS Galaxy, Golden Arrows tackle high-flying Sekhukhune United and league leaders Sundowns battle Marumo Gallants in the final match of the day. On Sunday, the first-round action wraps up with matches between Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch, Richards Bay and Chippa United and AmaZulu and Magesi.

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