Royal AM and TS Galaxy march on in Nedbank Cup

Nkosingiphile Ngcobo of Kaizer Chiefs challenged by Lefa Hlongwane of TS Galaxy during the 2022 Nedbank Cup match between Kaizer Chiefs and TS Galaxy at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on the 12 February 2022 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Feb 12, 2022. 21:43

Saturday’s Nedbank Cup action served up two all-DStv Premiership encounters as TS Galaxy and Royal AM came out on top in their respective matches to advance to the round of 16.

In a repeat of the 2019 final, the Rockets beat Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in their round-of-32 clash at the FNB Stadium in the late kick-off.

Augustine Chidi Kwem’s 54th-minute goal was all that separated the two top-flight rivals as Amakhosi failed to go beyond the first round for a second successive season.

Earlier in the day, Thwihli Thwahla fought back from an early goal down against Cape Town City to emerge 2-1 victors at Chatsworth Stadium.

Khanyisa Mayo had given the Citizens a ninth-minute lead, but an own-goal from Katlego Mokhuoane (50′) drew John Maduka’s side level before Lantshene Phalane completed the comeback win on 54 minutes from a direct free-kick.

Elsewhere, Sekhukhune United became another top-tier casualty when they lost 3-2 on penalties to Platinum City Rovers after their cup-tie finished 1-1 at Olen Park.

Yusuf Maart’s third-minute goal looked to have secured Babina Noko’s passage into the next round before a last-gasp equaliser from Lehlohonolo Mojela took the game into extra-time.

After an additional 30 minutes of football produced no further goals, the GladAfrica Championship outfit held their nerve in the shootout to send Macdonald Makhubedu’s men packing.

Meanwhile, Free State Stars also succumbed to lower-league opposition after Sinenkani beat them 8-7 on penalties at the Walter Sisulu University Stadium.

Ea Lla Koto needed an 89th-minute spot-kick from Moeketsi Sekola to force extra-time, which cancelled out Sibongiseni Mkhize’s 74th-minute opener for the ABC Motsepe League club.

The score remained 1-1 after 120 minutes and Sinenkani triumphed in the shootout when Masixole Nkewana missed from the spot in sudden death.

First-half goals from Teboho Modise (25′) and Sabata Manele (33′) kept Mathaithai’s Nedbank Cup dream alive as they defeated NC Pro’s 2-0 at Tafel Lager Park.

Saturday’s Nedbank Cup results:

NC Pro’s 0-2 Mathaithai

Platinum City Rovers 1-1 Sekhukhune United (3-2 on pens)

Royal AM 2-1 Cape Town City

Sinenkani 1-1 Free State Stars (8-7 on pens)

Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 TS Galaxy