Moroka Swallows were dumped out of the Nedbank Cup after late 2-1 loss to University of Pretoria on Wednesday evening.
Nedbank Cup
Result: University of Pretoria 2-1 Moroka Swallows FC
Date: 13 March 2024
Venue: Tuks Stadium
Coach Musa Nytama handed a recall to Ntsikelelo Nyauza in the Swallows defence, while Gregory Damons, Roland Sanou, Ntsikelelo Ngqonga and Augustine Mahlonoko were also brought back into the side after the big loss to Sekhukhune United over the weekend.
Both sides saw a bit of the ball in the opening exchanges but chances were hard to come by, with the final pass and shock lacking at both ends of the park.
The first real opening at goal arrived after 20 minutes when the Damons did well to tee the ball up for Sanou, who unleashed a first-time strike that forced AmaTuks goalkeeper Edward Maova into a fine finger-tip save.
Swallows had trouble breaking down second division opposition in the last round as well, as Nyatama's charges needed penalties to overcome Platinum City Rovers following 120 minutes of no goals.
After a disappointing first half, AmaTuks nearly broke the deadlock eight minutes when Kamohelo Pheeane rose above his marker and sent a powerful header against the crossbar, while Delano Abrahams was denied by the upright moments later.
The home side got their reward on 56 minutes when Tebogo Mohlamonyane found the back of the net with a lovely first-time finish into the far corner after Swallows failed to clear their lines.
Nyatama responded with another change after the hour mark when Siyabong Khumalo replaced Mahlonoko in the hope of their improving their situation.
The Dube Birds did go on to get the equaliser in the 77th minute when a well-worked team move ended with Lwanda Mbanjwa finding the back of the net with a lovely finish into the top corner.
With the game seemingly headed for extra-time, AmaTuks popped up with the winning goal in second-half stoppage time when a long-ball evaded all the Swallows defenders and landed at the feet of Thabang Sibanyoni, who sent a powerful volley past Akpeyi and confirmed his side's spot in the quarter-finals.
Here's how they lined up:
University of Pretoria: Maova, Gum, Mahlangu, Mokoena, Majadibodu, Mpedi, Mkhuma, Mvambi, Abrahams, Mohlamonayne, Pheeane
Subs: Dlamini, Mdevulana, Langa, Julies, Makara, Sithole, Makwarimba, Sibanyoni, Dikgale
Moroka Swallows: Akpeyi, Maponya, Ngqonga, Nyauza, Sibiya, Phalane, Mahlonoko, Sanou, Damons, Koapeng, Everson
Subs: T. Mbanjwa, Sibiya, Mngonyama, Mphahlele, Khumalo, Mthethwa, L.Mbanjwa, Mtshali, Mhango
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