Maritzburg United booked their place in the quarterfinals of the 2019 Telkom Knockout Cup with a 3-1 penalty shoot-out win over Bidvest Wits at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday evening.

The game was deadlocked at 1-1 after extra-time with both goals coming within three second-half minutes. Terrence Dzvukamanja opened the scoring for the visitors before Thabiso Kutumela's equaliser for the home side.

Phathutshedzo Nange, Sifiso Hlanti and Mxolisi Macuphu all missed from 12 years in the ensuing shoot-out with Team of Choice goalkeeper Bongani Mpandle emerging as the hero on the night with two penalty saves.

The match got off to a thrilling start with both teams showcasing a lot of attacking intent from the get go, with poor finishing a some good last ditch defending the only thing to blame for the match being deadlocked at 0-0 at the break.

The opener finally came with 57 minutes on the clock as Dzvukamanja nodded home Haashim Domingo's arrowing corner-kick at the near post.

Maritzburg, though, were awarded an opportunity to level matters seconds later following a handball in he area by Zitha Macheke. Kutumela duly stepped up to the spot and made no mistake, firing the ball home to send the fans into delirium,

No goals would follow Kutumela's strike on the hour mark and with nothing forthcoming after 30 minutes of extra-time, the game would be decided by penalty kicks.

Both teams missed their first kick, but after Siyanda Xulu rifled his attempt into the top left corner momentum swung into the hosts favour as they duly came up trumps to book their place in the next round.

Maritzburg United (0) 1 (Kutumela 60')

Bidvest Wits (0) 1 (Dzvukamanja 57')

Maritzburg won 3-1 on penalties.

Maritzburg United: Mpandle; Xulu, Mngonyama (Sanoka 75'), Morgan (Mekoa 56'), De Reuck, Allie, Kunene, Shandu, Claasen, Kutumela, Brockie (Moseamedi 90+4').

Bidvest Wits: Goss; Hlanti, Hlatshwayo, Mkhwanazi, Macheke, Monare (Nange 71'), Alexander, Domingo (Mahangwahaya 81'),Dzvukamanja (Motupa 102'), Hotto, Macuphu.