Mokoena puts Pompey through in FA Cup

Striker Leon Best looked to have put Coventry through with a stunning goal midway through the first half, but defender Stephen Wright’s own goal in the final minute of normal time threw Pompey a lifeline and set the stage for Mbazo’s amazing winner with penalties looming.

Clouded by controversy of late and struggling in the English Premiership, the elated Bafana skipper said the victory could not have come at better time, after they were held by Coventry at home in the previous encounter to force this replay.

“We needed this game very badly, most of all to keep ourselves going,” explained ‘Mbazo’ in a post match interview with PFC TV.

“It takes a lot of courage, credit to the boys under difficult circumstances they managed to rise, that’s what football is all about especially at this stage, that’s exactly what we did tonight.

“Coventry made it difficult for us down at home, so we knew how difficult this game was going to be. The good thing is that we managed to wrap it up.”

He added: “It was so important for us to win this one, so that we can try and build from it.

“We’ve been well to be fair; we were just unfortunate but the good thing with this group is that we never let our heads down and that’s what this game is all about you need big characters and that’s what we showed tonight.

Speaking about the goal he said: “I celebrated before it even went in; I could see that it was from the goalkeeper’s [reach], it was a brilliant goal for me.”

‘Mbazo’s goal Mokoena sets up a home tie against Sunderland in the fourth at Fratton Park on Saturday, January 23.