DStv Compact Cup Third/Fourth Report: Dinaledi v Amabutho 29 January 2022

Dinaledi secured third place in the inaugural DStv Compact Cup after edging Amabutho 1-0 on Saturday afternoon.

Result: Dinaledi 1-0 Amabutho

Date: 29 January 2022

Venue: FNB Stadium

Dinaledi made wholesale changes, with only Gaston Sirino, Sello Motsepe and Nyiko Mobbie retaining their places in the line-up while Amabutho made a number of alterations, with the likes of Bonginkosi Ntuli and Leletu Skelem brought to the fore.

Dan Malesela's charges got off to the perfect start after Lesedi Kapinga opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a stunning strike from outside the box that swerved into the top corner.

Sirino had a chance to double the lead for Dinaledi in the 12th minute after finding space from Prince Nxumalo's pass in the box but his shot towards the top corner was saved by shot-stopper Sifiso Mlungwana.

Amabutho were working their way back into the game but they were limited to strikes from range that did not threaten goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse and Dinaledi followed a similar pattern in the closing phase of the first stanza.

Evans Rusike was announced by Sekhukhune United. Image by @Sekhukhunefc

Sekhukhune United confirmed the signing of Justin Shonga earlier this month. Image by @Sekhukhunefc

Luckyboy Mokoena joined Sekhukhune United after leaving TS Galaxy. Image by @Sekhukhunefc

Surprise Ralani was confirmed by Sundowns. Image by @Masandawana

Maritzburg United announced Friday Samu, Genino Palace and Steven Pereira. Image by @MaritzburgUtd

Lucky Baloyi was one of the signings confirmed by Maritzburg United. Image by @MaritzburgUtd

Orebotse Mongae joined TS Galaxy from Platinum City Rovers. Image by @TSGALAXYFC

Andile Fakude was announced by TS Galaxy after he was signed from Barberton City in the ABC Motsepe League. Image by @TSGALAXYFC

TS Galaxy announced the signing of Lefa Hlongwane. Image by @TSGALAXYFC

Erwin Saavedra is expected to be announced by Mamelodi Sundowns in the coming days.

Siphelele Luthuli was unveiled by Chippa United. Image by @ChippaUnitedFC

Ronald Pfumbidzai has joined Chippa United. Image by @ChippaUnitedFC

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The game was opening up early in the second stanza, as Sirino forced an out-stretched save from Mlungwana with a curling strike on the edge of the box and a couple of minutes later Pieterse denied Samkelo Mzolo, who was through on goal from point-blank range.

The sides made changes just after the hour-mark, as Amabutho eventually brought on Victor Letsoalo in place of Skelem upfront while Dinaledi bolstered their attack with the introduction of Sipho Mbule, Gift Motupa and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondo.

Amabutho were pressurising Dinaledi in the latter stages and Letsoalo had a chance to setup an equaliser ten minutes before time after finding space and time on the edge of the box but he went for a shot towards the top corner that sailed over the bar.

Amabutho had a strong penalty appeal turned down in stoppage time after Pieterse appeared to have brought down Mzolo in the six-yard box while clearing danger where he injured himself in the process, with shot-stopper George Chigova replacing him.

Chigova had to make last-ditch saves in the tail end, as Dinaledi eventually held on to finish third in the tournament.

Dinaledi: Pieterse, Chabalala, Motsepe, Mkhwanazi, Mobbie, Webber, Otladisa, Moagi, Nxumalo, Sirino, Kapinga.

Amabutho: Mlungwana, Ritchie, Manganyi, Xoki, Sibisi, Makhaula, Skelem, Mmodi, Moeketsi, Ntuli, Sithebe.