SA: Zimbabwe veteran Arubi (40) takes his side to league cup final

By AFP

Veteran Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi was carried shoulder high by his Marumo Gallants teammates on Sunday after they reached the South African League Cup final at the expense of Golden Arrows.

The semi-final at the Durban ground of Arrows finished 2-2 after extra time. Arubi, 40, then saved two penalties in the shootout, which his club won 4-2 to set up a title decider against Orlando Pirates.

Pirates qualified for the final on Saturday, edging Richards Bay 1-0 through a brilliantly created and executed goal by Tshepang Moremi before a sell-out 42,500 crowd at another Durban venue.

A long-range looping shot from Christopher Sithole of Marumo on 58 minutes that beat goalkeeper Xolani Ngcobo, who had strayed from the goal-line, was the highlight of the four regular-time goals.

All but one came in a frenetic five-minute spell soon after half-time with Ivorian Isaac Cisse putting Arrows ahead and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo equalising before Sithole struck.

Nqobeko Dlamini levelled on 70 minutes and Arrows, particularly in the second half of extra time. dominated possession and scoring opportunities.

Arubi saved Arrows’ second and third penalties in the shootout and Burkinabe Ibrahim Bance converted the kick that won the cup tie.

In the first semi-final, a superb long pass from livewire Pirares midfielder Oswin Appollis set up Moremi for the 42nd-minute match winner.

Moremi controlled the ball with his head, then unleashed an angled shot from cose ranger that beat Kenyan goalkeeper Ian Otieno and flew into the far corner of the net.