Royal AM booked their spot in the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup with a come-from-behind victory over Cape Town City on Saturday afternoon.
Nedbank Cup Last 32
Result: Royal AM 2-1 Cape Town City
Date: 12 February 2022
Venue: Chatsworth Stadium
Royal gave new signings Thabo Matlaba and Mxolisi Macuphu their debuts while the Citizens recalled Mduduzi Mdantsane, Thato Mokeke, Terrence Mashego, Thamsanqa Mkhize and Tashreeq Morris.
City had a dream start as Khanyisa Mayo fired them ahead in the ninth minute with a powerful shot at the near post after a cross by Mkhize.
Matlaba had a chance to level matters for John Maduka's charges a couple of minutes later after after going through on goal from his overlap on the left side of the box and got past goalkeeper Hugo Marques but his shot towards was blocked by Taariq Fielies.
The game opened up in the latter stages of the first stanza and Victor Letsoalo came close to snatching the equaliser for Thwihli Thwahla just before the half-time break with a strike in the six-yard box that missed the post by a whisker.
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Royal found the equaliser five minutes after the restart as Relebogile Mokhuoane fired Kabelo Mahlasela's cross into his own net at the near post in an attempt to clear danger.
The hosts took the lead five minutes later after Lantshene Phalane curled a fantastic free-kick from outside the box into the top corner.
With time running out for the visitors, Eric Tinkler made a double change 12 minutes before time, as Taahir Goedeman replaced Mayo for fresh legs upfront and Keanu Cupido came on for Thato Mokeke.
Royal were defending in numbers in the dying minutes and City could not find their way through, as Thwihli Thwahla held on to secure their spot in the round of 16.
Here's how they lined up:
Royal AM: 16. Nyame, 20. Mkhize, 14. Matlaba, 24. Lingwati, 13. Manganyi, 12. Mahlasela, 21. Letsoalo, 8. Phalane, 11. Potsane, 9. Macuphu, 18. Mashikinya,
Subs: 25. Mpoto, 2. Msomi, 17. Mogaila, 34. Thikazi, 42. Ncobeni, 50. Masuku, 28. Mabuza, 10. Mabena, 30. Monamodi.
City: 1. Hugo, 2. Mkhize, 4. Fasika, 12. Fielies, 14. Mashego, 21. Mokeke, 6. Mokhuoane, 10. Mdantsane, 30. Martin, 17. Mayo, 20. Morris.
Subs: 31. Mpandle, 15. Cupido, 22. Fisher, 49. Sifumba, 46. Molaoa, 27. Goedeman, 48. Rhodes.
