Marumo Gallants kept their Nedbank Cup title defence alive by advancing to the semi-finals after defeating Baroka FC 1-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Goalkeeper King Ndlovu and Miguel Timm returned amongst other change for Gallants, as Elvis Chipezeze replaced Oscarine Masuluke in the goal of Baroka with Evidence Makgopa on the bench.
Former Golden Arrows striker Lerato Lamola was given the task to put the host ahead after 13 minutes played off a through pass by Mpho Mvelase but Chipezeze smothered him.
A little thereafter a strike from a promising distance outside the area by Bennet Bobete caused a spell of uncertainty for the host before watching the effort miss target completely.
With the tempo evenly poised at the midway point, a knee injury cut youngster Andy Mehlaphe's outing short and heralded the introduction of Bayzel Goldstone. The host also issued a substitution five minutes before halftime in Monde Mphambaniso for Sibusiso Khumalo.
Scroll through the gallery to see the PSL stars turning out in the ABC Motsepe League.
Reinforcements from both teams following the resumption showed with Baroka bringing on Makgopa and Ananias Gebhardt to Gallants throwing on Sede Dion for Lamola.
Dion went close to break the deadlock with 60 minutes played when he headed a loose ball in the area against the upright with the host struggling to deal with a high ball.
Baroka responded over the midway period of the second half and saw Dan Ndlovu nod an inviting delivery in the centre of the area from Makgopa wide with the goal at his mercy.
The tournament holders continued to press and got rewarded when Dion attacked a diagonal cross from Mphambaniso and headed into the near corner in the last ten minutes.
Bakgaga Ba Ga Mphahlele began to throw numbers forward in the hope of an equaliser, but Gallants closed shop to see out the win.
Confirmed line-ups:
Gallants: Ndlovu, Nkili, Mvelase, Mabotja, Nonyane, Timm, Lamola, Otladisa, Kumalo, Ndlondlo, Molangoane.
Subs: Arubi, Dion, Makudebla, Gumede, Mphambaniso, Mnyamane, Sibeko, Ngema, Khiba
Baroka: Chipezeze, Mhphahele, Makume, Sibiya, Gkositile, Mehlape, Bobete, Masiya, Bombi, Maluleke, Ndlovu
Subs: Masuluke, Mbulu, Junior, Goldstone, Monama, Shozi, Makgopa, Chauke, Nguse.