Sekhukhune United booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup after defeating Cape Town Spurs 2-0 on Friday night.
Nedbank Cup
Result: Sekhukhune United 2-0 Cape Town Spurs
Date: 11 March 2023
Venue: New Peter Mokaba Stadium
Sekhukhune recalled goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata while Kamohelo Mokotjo was handed only his second start and Chibuike Ohizu returned to partner Victor Letsoalo and Vusimuzi Mncube upfront.
The visitors, meanwhile, recalled Mamelodi Sundowns loanee Luvuyo Phewa and Boitumelo Radiopane on loan from Orlando Pirates.
Babina Noko pinned Spurs back in their own half from the first whistle and after going close a couple of times, Letsoalo broke the deadlock midway through the first stanza with a first-time on the edge of the box after a cut-back by Mncube.
Shaun Bartlett's charges started to spread themselves on counter-attacks and Sithembiso Ngobe had almost a similar chance as Letsoalo just after the half-hour mark after he got a cut-back unmarked on the edge of the box but his looping shot sailed slightly over the top.
The hosts remained a threat going and Roderick Kabwe doubled their lead just before the interval with a low drive from the penalty spot after Ohizu was brought down in the box by Morne Nel.
Spurs showed the determination to get back into the game coming from the break, as they created chances but they did not have the finishing touches in the last third.
Sekhukhune managed the game well, as they were in no hurry to go forward although coach Brandon Truter refreshed the midfield, as Tlotlo Leepile replaced Pogiso Mahlangu.
The game was running away from the Motsepe Foundation Championship side in the closing stages, as Babina Noko could afford to withdraw Letsoalo and gave a run to Tresor Yamba.
Sekhukhune were in control of the game in the dying minutes by just absorbing the pressure and also gave new signing Sibusiso Vilakazi his debut off the bench in the closing minutes as they cruised to the quarter-finals.
Here's how they lined up:
Sekhukhune United: Nsabata, Mobbie, Ntiya-Ntiya, Cardoso, Gyimah, Mokotjo, Ohizu, Mahlangu, Mncube, Kabwe, Letsoalo
Subs: Sangare, Zulu, Tshibwabwa, Leepile, Seabi, Mashikinya, Mokwana, Masiya, Vilakazi
Cape Town Spurs: Vyver, Brown, Bern, Haukongo, Daniels, Nel, Petersen, Ngobe, Radiopane, Phewa, Velebayi
Subs: Dlamini, Moosa, Mpame, Cupdio, Ryan, Allie, Mortan, Finck
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