Royal AM booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup with a 1-0 win over Swallows FC on Friday evening.
Nedbank Cup
Result: Swallows 0-1 Royal AM
Date: 11 March 202
Venue: Dobsonville Stadium
The Birds made three changes to the side that narrowly lost to the same opposition on Sunday, as they recalled shot-stopper Jody February, Musa Nyatama and Junaid Sait while Royal brought in goalkeeper Hugo Nyame, Thabo Matlaba, Lesego Manganyi, Given Mashikinya and Mxolisi Macuphu remaining.
Swallows were forcing matters in the early stages, as they kept Nyame busy with aerial balls in his area but they were not having strikes at goal.
Thwihli Thwahla were happy to absorb the pressure and look for chances on counter-attacks but only came close to breaking the deadlock just before the halftime break after Jabulani Ncobeni unleashed a rocket from range that was smothered by February.
Dylan Kerr's charges had a bright start in the second stanza and their persistence paid off just before the hour-mark after they were awarded a penalty for a handball by Ncobeni in the box but Lebohang Mokoena fired a tame effort straight at Nyame.
Scroll through the gallery to see the PSL stars turning out in the ABC Motsepe League.
Royal continued to weather the storm but they lacked the final product on transitions, which forced coach John Maduka to make attacking changes 20 minutes before time, as Victor Letsoalo replaced Mfundo Thikazi and Ndumiso Mabena came on for Elias Pelembe.
Thwihli Thwahla started to combine better going forward after that and Kabelo Mahlasela eventually broke the deadlock 11 minutes from time with left-footed strike that found the bottom corner after exchanging passes with Macuphu in the box.
Thabo Mosadi had a chance to force the game into extra-time in the last five minutes after going through on goal at the near post but his low strike at the near post was saved by Nyame, as Royal held on to book a spot in the quarter-finals.
Other result:
Venda FC 3-3 University of Pretoria (AmaTuks won 4-3 on penalties)
Here's how they lined up:
Swallows: 31. February, 34. Sait, 28. Sasman, 18. Solomons, 15. Nyatama, 9. Mokoena, 3. Mahlatsi, 10. Saleng, 22. Ndlovu, 20. Musonda.
Subs: 17. Ngobeni, 36. Mohamme, 33. Khupe, 29. Mbhele, 42. Matlou, 7. Mosadi, 25. Mhlongo, 12. Gamildien, 26. Malinga.
Royal AM: 16. Nyame, 34. Thikazi, 14. Matlaba, 42. Ncobeni, 13. Manganyi, 30. Monamodi, 18. Mashikinya, 22. Rikhotso, 6. Kobedi, 7. Pelembe, 9. Macuphu.
Subs: 1. Huegh, 21. Letsoalo, 17. Mogaila, 36. Maxwele, 12. Mahlasela, 50. Masuku, 15. Shezi, 10. Mabena, 19. Matjila.
