Nedbank Cup Quarter-Final
Result: Real Kings 0-4 Bidvest Wits
Date: 13 March 2020
Venue: Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium
Bidvest Wits became the first side to book a spot in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup after thumping GladAfrica Championship side Real Kings 4-0 on Friday night.
Clever Boys head coach Gavin Hunt named a strong line-up, with Elias Pelembe and Phathutshedzo Nange being recalled as the two changes from Tuesday's win over Black Leopards.
After Terrence Dzvukamanja had an early shot cleared off the line, Phathutshedzo Nange was denied the opener in the 20th minute by Kings goalkeeper Sabelo Nkomo.
Wits shot-stopper Brandon Peterson had to be on his toes though after producing a stunning save to keep out Sedwyn George's volley as the home side looked to upset the top flight outfit.
However, the visitors finally got the breakthrough two minutes before the break thanks to a close range header by Eva Nga off Zitha Macheke's cross from the right flank.
The Clever Boys picked up from where they left off in the first half, as Lorenzo Gordinho doubled the lead just six minutes after the break with a free header from Pelembe's corner.
Kings were in trouble three minutes later as the Clever Boys grabbed a commanding 3-0 lead after Dzvukamanja's shot took a deflection off defender Lesego Manganyi and sailed past Nkomo.
Dzvukamanja finally got a clean goal with 22 minutes remaining after rounding Nkomo from Pelembe's through ball and rolled the ball to an empty net to bag Wits' fourth on the night.
With the visitors cruising in the latter phase, Hunt made a double change by taking Sifiso Hlanti and Eva Nga for Keegan Ritchie and youngster Rowan Human to see out the latter stages for a spot in the final four.
Here's how they line up:
Kings: Nkomo, Manganyi, Wambi, Stoffels, Mabua, Cele, Dlamini, Phewa, Drown, Mkhizem Chirambadare.
Subs: Thikazi, Ismail, George, Ntuli, Tsotetsi, Zimu, Mashiane.
Wits: Petersen, Hlanti, Nange, Mkhwanazi, Gordinho, Pelembe, Alexander, Macheke, Sekgota, Dzvukumanja, Eva Nga.
Subs: Mhlongo, Nonyane, Domingo, Ritchie, Macuphu, Human, Phiri.
