Cape NFD sides can savour lucrative Nedbank Cup spots

THE Cape’s three National First Division clubs have made it into the main draw of the Nedbank Cup.

Stellenbosch FC hosted and beat Mbombela United 3-0, Cape Town All Stars entertained Tshakhuma Tsha Madzihandila (TTM) and claimed a 2-0 victory, while Ubuntu Cape Town ended Jomo Cosmos’ unbeaten run at home by way of a penalty shootout (3-1) after the game ended 1-1 and went into extra time in Johannesburg.

The trio progress to the last 32 of the knockout tournament, comprising eight NFD as well as eight amateur teams and the 16 PSL teams who were exempt from the qualifiers.

Stellenbosch and Mbombela had met in a league match three days earlier that ended goalless, but second time round it was a different outcome for the Cape side with Carl Lark, Malesela Monene and Broderick Birds finding the back of the net in a onesided victory.

All Stars locked horns with TTM for the second time this season, the first meeting a league match that the men from the Mother City won 1-0 on the road.

Now they savour a double over the side from Thohoyandou after unanswered goals from Simphiwe Tshabalala and Nyembezi ensured them victory and a place in the first round, while the losers reflect on back-to-back defeats.

Bukhosi Sibanda put Ubuntu in front, scoring from close range before Cosmos levelled through Ange Libahi from the penalty spot to send the game into extra time.

The men from the Western Cape had their goalkeeper Buti Khoza to thank for their spot in the last 32 after he denied Ezenkhosi with three penalty saves.

In other results, Royal Eagles of KwaZulu-Natal ended a seven-game winless run with a 3-0 win over AmaTuks 3-0, the goals in the second half scored by Joshua Sauls, Sandile Kubeka and Kenneth Makgothi; NFD rookies Super Eagles beat Black Leopards 3-0; Richards Bay eased past Witbank Spurs 2-1; Mthatha Bucks edged Uthongathi FC 2-1; NFD leaders Highlands Park defeated Real Kings 2-1, the outcome decided in extra time.

Highlands, the “Lions of the North” are now unbeaten in 10 outings. – Mike de Bruyn