Nedbank Cup
Result: Free State Stars 2-0 Highlands Park
Date: 11 March 2017
Venue: Goble Park
Free State Stars secured their spot in the Nedbank Cup Last 16, after recording a 2-0 win over Highlands Park at Goble Park.
Around the 15th minute the tempo of the match went up with Ea Lla Kot particularly dominating although they were not creating clear cut opportunities.
Highlands Park goalkeeper, Marlon Heugh was the reason there were no goals for the home side as they created chance after chance only to be denied.
Nhanhla Vilakazi eventually broke the deadlock in the 44th minute by poking the ball home from close range, after colliding with Heugh.
The match went into the break with Free State Stars deservedly in the lead.While, Gordon Igesund would have been worried as his charges had no shot on target in the entire first half.
It seemed Highlands Park were looking to neutralise the Free State outfit in the middle of park as that is where they lost it in the first half.
The Lions of the North came out of their shell in the 70th minute. as they started to attack more and committed men forward.
Stars' Mohammed Anas found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat in the 72nd minute but he fluffed his chance after he was put through following a counter-attack.
The home side doubled their in the 776th minute through Sthembiso Dlamini, who raced clear on goal before firing into the back of the net.
Stars managed to see out the closing stages with relative ease as they secured their spot in the Last 16.
Here's how they lined up:
Stars: 32. Ngobeni, 5. Masehe, 35. Teyise, 24. Tlhone, 44. Mahamutsa, 26. Dlamini, 50. Vilakazi, 4. Makhaula, 37. Maphakisa, 11. Jantjie, 38. Anas.
Highlands: 1. Heugh, 33. Sibande, 49. Komane, 19. Nhlapho, 44. Dias De Amorim, 28. Khwela, 5. Khuboni, 42. Cale, 2. Theron, 11. Mashumba (Shalulie 51'), 31. Lemessa.
