Result: Maritzburg United 2-1 Sekhukhune United
Date: 05 February 2021
Venue: Harry Gwala Stadium
Maritzburg United booked their spot in the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup after beating GladAfrica Championship side Sekhukhune United 2-1 on Friday evening.
Maritzburg made four changes, handing new signing, German goalkeeper Marcel Engelhardt his debut alongside the return of Kwandakwensizwa Mngonyama, Fares Hachi and Jose Ali Meza.
Sekhukhune were the most threatening side on the break in the early exchanges and they nearly forced an own goal by Riyaaz Ismail in the 24th minute after the Team of Choice defender scuffed a clearance that missed the bottom post by a whisker.
Thabo Motlafi came close to breaking the deadlock for Babina Noko on the half-hour after going through at the near post but his thumping effort was bravely parried away by Engelhardt.
Ernst Middendorp's charges were denying the visitors opportunities on counter-attacks in the closing phase of the first stanza, as they kept them under pressure in their own half but they too could not get clear chances and the first stanza ended without goals.
Maritzburg had a perfect start in the second stanza as Tebogo Tlolane gave them the lead just two minutes from the break with a thumping high strike after a rebound fell on his path inside the box from a long throw-in.
Sibusiso Hlubi doubled the lead for the Team of Choice in the last 20 minutes after latching onto a long and high ball by Daniel Morgan inside the box and poked a strike past shot-stopper Tapuwa Kapini.
Sibusiso Mbonani gave MacDonald Makhubedu's men hopes of a comeback after reducing the deficit to 2-1 in the last minute with a thumping volley at the back post from a corner situation but the KwaZulu-Natal side desperately held on to book a spot in the last 16.
Maritzburg: Engelhardt, Mngonyama, Kutumela, Hachi, Tlolane, Buchanan, Morgan, Bhengu, Ismail, Moseamedi, Meza.
Subs: Mpandle, Zuma, Carnell, Shandu, Modise, Ngwane, Hlubi, Buthelezi.
Sekhukhune: Kapini, Phiri, Hlongwane, Mbonani, Ndlela, Mokoena, Mbulu, Maluleke, Mofokeng, Motlafi, Nxumalo.
Subs: Mtswni, Makgoga, Sinvula, Musona, Ntsoane, Hlongo, Kobela.
