Royal sink Arrows, Chippa avoid slip-up

DURBAN - Royal AM defeated their KwaZulu-Natal rivals Lamontville Golden Arrows 3-1 in a Nedbank Cup Last 16 match at the Princess Magogo Stadium yesterday.

The win saw Thwihli Thwahla progress to the quarterfinals of the South African FA Cup and they will now take on Mamelodi Sundowns in a DStv Premiership clash on Tuesday. On the other hand, Abafana Bes’thende bowed out of the tournament and they are scheduled to lock horns with Swallows FC in the league on March 17.

Royal were awarded a penalty in the 32nd minute after Mogaila was fouled by goalkeeper Siyabonga Mbatha and Ricardo Nascimento scored from the spot-kick to hand the visitors a 1-0 lead. Moon made an impact as he set-up Knox Mutizwa who snatched a late equalising goal in stoppage time to ensure that the game ended in a 1-1 draw in regulation time and extra time followed.

Levy Mashiane proved to be an inspired substitute in extra-time, as the 26-year-old attacker netted in the 100th minute to hand Royal

a 2-1 lead with Sedwyn George providing the assist. Despite being numerically advantaged the visitors continued to attack and Mashiane snatched another goal in the 119th minute to seal Royal’s 3-1 win.

Meanwhile, Chippa United evaded another giant killing in the Nedbank Cup after they beat Mpheni Home Defenders 2-0 in the round of 16 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Ronald Pfumbidzai broke the deadlock in the 31st minute and Diego Appollis stepped off the bench to seal a welcome victory for Kurt Lentjies’ side 20 minutes from time to end the Bulls’ fairytale run.