Coastal United booked their spot in the final of the inaugural DStv Compact Cup after thrashing Dinaledi 3-0 on Saturday afternoon.
DStv Compact Cup - Semi-Final
Result: Coastal United 3-0 Dinaledi FC
Date: 22 January 2022
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Dinaledi boasted stars from Mamelodi Sundowns, including Gaston Sirino and Kermit Erasmus, with SuperSport United midfield duo of Teboho Mokoena and Sipho Mbule decorating the side while Coastal had a threatening strike partnership of Evidence Makgopa and Ashley Du Preez.
Coastal had a perfect start as Du Preez gave them an early lead with a thumping strike into the gaping net from a rebound after Makgopa's shot in the box was saved by goalkeeper Ricardo Goss.
Dinaledi were struggling to find the right combinations going forward, with Steve Barker's charges organised at the back and Coastal came very close to doubling their lead just before the half-hour mark with a curling strike on the edge of the box that came off the bar.
Taariq Fielies made it 2-0 for United nine minutes before the halftime break from after firing a strike into the bottom corner after his initial shot was blocked by Mbule as Dan Malesela's men went to the break trailing by two goals.
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Dinaledi were spirited coming from the halftime and they were awarded a penalty in the early exchanges after a handball by youngster Athenkosi Mcaba in the box but Sirino's spot-kick was saved by shot-stopper Oscarine Masuluke.
Malesela and his technical advisers made a double attacking change in the 65th minute, as Lerato Lamola replaced Gift Motupa and Katlego Otladisa came on for Mbule.
However, 16-year old Luphumlo Sifumba got his name on the scoreeshet and made it 3-0 for United three minutes later with a cracking strike just in the box that went in off the post.
Coast would finish the game with ten men after defender Robyn Johannes picked up a second booking and was sent off with 16 minutes left on the clock.
Sifumba came close to adding a fourth for Coastal in the last minute with an audacious long range chip that required full-stretch save from substitute goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse, as United booked their spot in the final while Dinaledi will play in the third/fourth play-off next weekend.
Here's how they start:
Coastal United: Masuluke, Mashego, Fielies, Johannes, Farmer, Nodada, Makola, Ngele, Sinkala, Makgopa, Du Preez
Dinaledi: Goss, De Reuck, Mobbie, Fleurs, Nonyane, Sirino, Mokoena, Mbule, Nldondlo, Erasmus, Motupa
Who do you think will win the inaugural DStv Compact Cup?
