Royal AM secured a spot in the last eight of the Nedbank Cup after defeating Golden Arrows 3-1 in extra-time on Saturday afternoon.
Royal AM started goalkeeper Xolani Ngcobo, with Ruzaigh Gamildien rewarded for his effort against Sekhukhune United, while Arrows gave run-outs to Nduduzo Mhlongo and Bongumusa Nkosi notably.
Abafana Besthende should've got the opening goal before the 20th minute from a snap-shot by Ntsikelelo Nxadi which Ngcobo parried before he recovered and denied the follow-up from Knox Mutizwa.
Royal AM earned a spot-kick on the half-hour mark as Siyabonga Mbatha fumbled a shot from Shaune Mogaila and upended the player on the follow-up, which allowed Ricardo Nascimento to bury the penalty.
An injury on goalkeeper Mbatha forced Abafana Besthende to make a substitution two minutes before halftime and they brought on Nkosingiphile Gumede.
Given the narrow advantage, the host looked to draw level minutes from the break where Divine Lunga combined with Sbonelo Cele before having his shot go wide.
Abafana Besthende were close again moments apart through a free-kick from the cusp of the box by Mutizwa, but Ngcobo denied the Zimbabwean.
The host didn't stop troubling Thwihli Thwahla minutes later and a quick move from Gumede picked out Mutizwa who combined with Ryan Moon only for Ngcobo to collect.
With seconds to go, Arrows levelled as Mutizwa made a mazy run from the middle to the area and finished off Moon's layo-ff to take the game to extra-time.
Following a quiet opening half of extra-time, Royal AM were back ahead in the 110th minute through a low finish from close-range by Levy Mashiane following a through pass.
However, Royal AM were down to ten men five minutes later as Philani Cele collected a straight red card for dangerous play on Moon.
Mashiane completed his brace when he pounced on a poor defensive clearance and tucked beyond an advanced Gumede in the final minute and helped his side to victory as well as the last eight.
Confirmed line-ups:
Golden Arrows: Mbatha, Mhlongo, Nkosi, Mantshiyane, Cele, Lunga, Nxadi, Ndwandwe, Mmodi, Makhubela, Mutizwa
Subs: Gumede, Magawana, Sibiya, Khumalo, Magubane, Ndlovu, Hlatshwayo, Moon
Royal AM: Royal AM: Ngcobo, Nascimento, Gamildien, Matlaba, Manganyi, Kobedi, Mahlasela, Pelembe, Mogaila, Potsane, Masuku
Subs: Mpoto, S.Cele, Rikhotso, Msomi, P.Cele, George, Thikazi, Mashiane, Ncobeni.
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