Result: Highlands Park 2-0Uthongathi
Date: 08 February 2020
Venue: Makhulong Stadium
A brace from Peter Shalulile guided Highlands Park to a 2-0 victory over GladAfrica Championship side Uthongathi in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 on Saturday night.
The Lions of the North made four changes, with veteran midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Abdi Banda, Wayde Jooste and Mlungisi Mbunjana being given a run in the line-up.
Uthongathi extended their unbeaten run to three games in the GladAfrica Championship with a 1-1 draw against Steenberg United and were looking to make an impact in their debut appearance in the cup.
The opening exchanges could not produce fireworks but Highlands eventually broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute after Shalulile rifled one into the bottom corner after goal-mouth scramble.
Uthongathi brought on some op flight experience from the bench in the second stanza, as former Orlando Pirates midfielder Issa Sarr came for Menzi Ndwandwe just after the break.
New Highlands signing Musa Nyatama, also formely with Pirates, was given his debut in the 61st minute in place of Letsholonyane while another former topf light player Siyanda Zwane was introduced by the visitors for Philani Shange five minutes later.
Highlands eventually doubled their lead in the 67th minute courtesy of Shalulile, who grabbed his brace with another good strike from outside the box.
The Cane Cutters tried to bring on more experience in the last 15 minutes, as former Bafana Bafana midfielder Thanduyise Khuboni replaced Cheslyn Jampies, but the two-goal deficit proved too much as the Lions of the North advanced to the last 16.
Highlands: Heugh, Mokoena, Mbunjana, Fransman, Banda, Jooste, Ramoraka, Mogaila, Shalulile, Letsholonyane, Motsepe.
Subs: Kapini, Mbhele, Mbatha, Mkhabela, Makhaula, Nyatama, Motlafi.
Uthongathi: Badra, Jampies, Slawula, Ngcobo, Shange, Mtolo, Ngema, Mmodi, Magawana, Francis, Ndwandwe.
Subs: More, Zwane, Nomvethe, Khuboni, Mamphumulo, Dube, Sarr.
