Kaizer Chiefs became the final side to secure a spot in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory over Casric Stars on Sunday evening.
AmaKhosi coach Arthur Zwane did not have Christian Saile Basomboli for selection due to suspension, but called on Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana and Kamohelo Mahlatsi as Ashley Du Preez was named on the bench.
Chiefs earned a penalty on ten minutes where Mumuni Abubakar allowed a cross to hit his hand, with Bimenyimana sening goalkeeper Ludwe Mpakumpaku the wrong way from the resultant spot-kick.
Bimenyimana nearly got a brace in the space of a minute with a loose ball from a scrambled clearance that ricocheted off the post and bounced back in play from the visiting team.
The Amakhosi continued to have the lion share of the overall play and came close to doubling their lead with a few snap-shots around the area, with Keagan Dolly going closest.
Chiefs threatened again two minutes to halftime as Mduduzi Shabalala charged clear following a through pass but he was denied by the on-rushing Mpakumpaku.
Stars made three changes at halftime, as Lehlohonolo Mojela, Thabang Rakwena and Ngoanamello Rammala came on for the Motsepe Foundation Championship side.
Zwane's men struggled to hold ground 60 minutes in and conceded after Zitha Kwinika lost possession in a crucial area and allowed Kgomotso Mosadi to drift in and nestle the top corner of the net.
Chiefs were back in the lead after four minutes when substitute Du Preez connected with Dolly's first-time cross and stuck out an outstretched leg to slot in from point-blank range.
The Amakhosi should've made the tie comfortable in the closing minutes as Shabalala beat the offside trap to go level with Mpakumpaku, but the shot-stopper denied the midfielder from point-blank range.
With Stars looking to go level minutes before full-time, the Amakhosi stayed compact and cleared their lines that confirmed victory and their spot in the last eight.
Confirmed line-ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen, Dove, Kwinika, Hlanti, Ngezana, Maart, Sithebe, Mahlatsi, Shabalala, Dolly , Bimenyimana
Subs: Bvuma, Dube, Du Preez, Nj, Ngcobo, Radebe, Solomons, Mashiane, Zwane, Duba
Casric Stars: Mpakumpaku, Tshoba, Taukobong, Gum, Mtshweni, Abubakar, Zwane, Malope, Milazi, Tlholoe, Mosadi
Subs: Mothombeni, Rakwena, Mojela, Khabane, Rammala, Kubheka, Mbonani, Sifama, Mokoena
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