Sekhukhune United advanced to the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Cape Town Spurs on Friday evening.
Sekhukhune re-called Toaster Nsabata, Pogiso Mahlangu, Kamohelo Mokotjo and Chibuike Ohizu, but Spurs opted start top scorer Ashley Cupido on the bench as on-loan Orlando Pirates striker Boitumelo Radiopane got the start.
The host enjoyed a strong start and were close to going ahead after a cross-cum shot from a tight angle by Ohizu cannoned off the crossbar.
Babina Noko got the opening goal midway inside the first half when Victor Letsoalo pounced on a cutback from Vusimuzi Mncube and curled in from outside the six-yard area.
Sekhukhune bagged a second goal from the penalty spot in the last three minutes of the first spell as Roderick Kabwe thundered in following a foul on Ohizu by Morne Nel.
Radiopane nearly reduced the deficit for the visiting team a few minutes later with a teasing shot from the far-post after cutting inside, but Nsabata made a pretty comfortable save.
Babina Noko freshened up their line-up before the second half commenced and introduced Elias Mokwana to take the place of Kabwe.
The Urban Warriors enjoyed a lively opening minutes into the resumption as a free-kick by Luvuyo Phewa beat the wall before nestling onto the roof of the net.
With Spurs seeing a lot of the ball, the host sprung to life and pinned their counterparts back through balls from wide areas and towards the danger box.
Sekhukhune introduced former Mamelodi Sundowns star Sibusiso Vilakazi to make his debut five minutes from time as he replaced Mncube.
It was nearly a nervous finish as Spurs threatened to pull one back through a rasping by substitute Therlo Moosa, but Nsabata helped the effort onto the upright.
Sekhukhune survived the closing seconds to full-time and confirmed the win to progress to the last eight of the Nedbank Cup.
Confirmed line-ups:
Sekhukhune United: Nsabata, Mobbie, Ntiya-Ntiya, Cardoso, Gyimah, Mokotjo, Ohizu, Mahlangu, Mncube, Kabwe, Letsoalo
Subs: Sangare, Zulu, Tshibwabwa, Leepile, Seabi, Mashikinya, Mokwana, Masiya, Vilakazi
Cape Town Spurs: Vyver, Brown, Bern, Haukongo, Daniels, Nel, Petersen, Ngobe, Radiopane, Phewa, Velebayi
Subs: Dlamini, Moosa, Mpame, Cupdio, Ryan, Allie, Mortan, Finck
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