10-man United ground Eagles

Maritzburg United survived a red card to avoid a cup upset yesterday and beat Royal Eagles 2-1 to reach the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals.

The Team of Choice captain Bevan Fransman was sent for an early shower when he received a second yellow card for a foul on the same man, Joshua Sauls, shortly before half-time.

Before Fransman could reach the dressing room, however, Deolin Mekoa put Fadlu Davids’ in-form Maritzburg side into the lead when he easily tapped in from close range.

Mame Niang levelled matters for Roger Sikhakhane’s side in the 71st minute from the spot.

The match then had to be temporarily suspended by the match official with just six minutes to go until full-time due to inclement weather at the Princess Magogo Stadium.

Play eventually resumed after a lengthy period and both sides had to resume battle on a swampy field.

Siyanda Xulu became the hero for the Team of Choice when he rose high to force the ball past Eagles’ goalkeeper Hugo Nyame to score the winner in the 88th minute.

Meanwhile, in the City of Roses, Bloemfontein Celtic were in rampant mood yesterday when they put Richards Bay in their place by winning 3-1 at the Dr Molemela Stadium to advance to the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup.

It was Mpho Maruping who opened the scoring for Phunya Sele Sele after 40 minutes.

With five minutes left on the clock before the referee’s optional time, Neo Maema’s cracker gave the home side a two-goal cushion.

As though that was not enough, Man-ofthe-Match Kabelo Dlamini’s stoppage-time strike rubbed salt into the wound as the home side went 3-0 up.

Thabiso Nkoana’s 93rd-minute goal was nothing but a consolation for the KwaZulu-Natal side.