It was another late show from Royal AM who rallied back from two goals down to defeat the University of Pretoria and secured a spot in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals.
Result: Royal AM 3-2 University of Pretoria
Date: 10 April 2022
Venue: Chatsworth Stadium
Thwihli Thwahla made only two changes from the win over Marumo Gallants, as they recalled Thato Lingwati and Given Mashikinya while AmaTuks surprisingly gave Wonderboy Makhubo only his second start upfront ahead of regular striker Thabang Sibanyoni.
Royal AM were sitting deep in their own half in the opening exchanges in wet conditions and they were punished in the 19th minute after Makhubo gave the visitors the lead with a free header in the box after a cross by Malesela Chokoe.
AmaTuks took the rainy weather conditions on their stride as they remained on the front foot and Makhubo doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark and completed his brace with a strike at the near post from a rebound in the box.
John Maduka's charges grew in the game in the latter phase of the first stanza as Mxolisi Macuphu had a chance to pull a goal back with an acrobatic volley in the box that was smothered by goalkeeper Dumisani Msibi, who also kept out a close-range header by Victor Letsoalo at the back post.
Royal AM started the second-half strongly, as they kept AmaTuks back in and around their box and the Premiership side were eventually awarded a penalty on the hour-mark after Msibi brought down Letsoalo with a sliding challenge in the box.
Letsoalo stepped up to take the penalty himself and made no mistake as he pulled a goal back for Thwihli Thwahla with a composed finish on the wrong side of Msibi.
Maduka reinforced his attack with a triple change in the last quarter of an hour, as Tebogo Potsane replaced Macuphu, Menzi Masuku came on for Mashikinya and Jabulani Ncobeni replaced Ricardo Nascimento.
Royal AM overloaded AmaTuks in the box and Letsoalo eventually levelled matters and completed his brace ten minutes before time with a strike from a sramble in the box.
The game was there for the taking for either side in the dying minutes and Mfundo Thikazi snatched the winner for Royal AM in stoppage time with a close range finish into an empty net after a square pass by Sedwyn George, who went through on goal.
Royal AM: 16. Nyame, 20. Mkhize, 14. Matlaba, 24. Lingwati, 3. Nascimento, 18. Mashikinya, 12. Mahlasela, 10. Mabena, 6. Kobedi, 9. Macuphu, 21. Letsoalo.
Subs: 1. Heugh, 11. Potsane, 22. Rikhotso, 34. Thikazi, 42. Ncobeni, 50. Masuku, 45. George, 19. Matjila, 7. Pelembe.
University of Pretoria: 25. Msibi, 4. Allan, 33. Maqoko, 42. Moeketsi, 19. Mpedi, 23. Julies, 20. Mvambi, 30. Barns, 3. Chokoe, 34. Makhubu, 28 Pheeane.
Subs: 26. Cola, 16. Phewa, 12. T. Mokoena, 29. Selotola, 32. Msani, 15. B.Mokwena, 36. Sibanyoni.
