Sekhukhune United progressed to the Carling Knockout quarter-finals after defeating Royal AM 1-0 on Saturday evening.
Bafana Bafana international Nyiko Mobbie picked out Babina Noko's staring line-up, while Badra Ali Sangare dropped to the bench to see Renaldo Leaner in goal.
It was an extremely slow opening with very few chances, which limited the team's capacity to get in behind and carve out opportunities.
Babina Noko did come close a little after the start from a shot-and-turn by Jamie Webber in the box, but it was blocked away before Chibuike Ohizu snapped the follow-up.
Leaner did have some work to do in the first stanza where he remained rooted to his area to thwart a cross-cum shot from Menzi Masuku.
Both sides were slow out of the blocks in the second period, as no decent openings followed before Babina Noko witnessed a loose effort by Webber go wide.
There was a double change presented by Sekhukhune a little in the second half where Lehlohonolo Mtshali replaced Siphesihle Mkhize and Maloisane Mokhele stepped in for Vusimuzi Mncube.
Royal AM very nearly raced into the lead from a through ball to Motebang Sera who raced ahead before curling over after the host managed to narrow his path to a clear goal.
The miss opportunity was punished in the last 20 minutes as substitute Mokhele got a yard of space in the box and comfortably tapped in a lay-off from point-blank range.
Sekhukhune were able to maintain the latter exchanges following the pressure from Thwihli Thwahla and secured their spot in the last eight with the win.
Confirmed line-ups:
Sekhukhune United: Learner, Mobbie, Mabotja, Rikhotso, Tshibwabwa, Mokotjo, Mokwana, Webber, Ohizu, Mkhize, Mncube
Subs: Mtsweni, Mkhabela, Gyimah, Mtshali, Vilakazi, Mokhele, Mosadi, Sithole, Morris.
Royal AM: Nyame, Mkhize, Jiyane, Kobedi, Matlaba, Mogaila, Mahlasela, Dlamini, Masuki, Ngobeni, Sera
Subs: Ngcobo, Lingwati, Maxwele, Sithole, Msomi, Cele, Thikazi, George, Macuphu
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