Royal AM claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Swallows FC in the Nedbank Cup Last 16 match at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Friday evening.
Kabelo Mahlasela proved to be the hero for Thwihli Thwahla as he grabbed a late goal which earned the Durban-based side a spot in the quarterfinals.
Amaswaiswai bow out of the tournament after suffering their second defeat to Royal AM in six days having also lost 1-0 to Thwihli Thwahla in a DStv Premiership clash on Sunday.
Amaswaiswai pressed Thwihli Thwahla up high, forcing the visitors into committing mistakes and the hosts were nearly gifted a goal following a poor back-pass Given Mashikinya.
The former Cape Town City midfielder’s sloppy pass was nearly intercepted by Monnapule Saleng, who was denied a chance to shoot at goal by on-rushing goalkeeper Hugo Nyame.
Royal grew into the game gradually and they were awarded a free-kick in a promising area, but Jabulani Ncobeni was denied by goalkeeper Jody February from the set-piece and the score was 0-0 at half time.
Amaswaiswai were the better side after the restart and they were awarded a penalty after Ncobeni was adjudged to have handled the ball in the visitors’ box.
However, Nyame denied Lebohang Mokoena from the spot-kick as the Cameroonian shot-stopper dived to his right to save the Swallows captain’s tame shot.
Kamohelo Mahlatsi, who was involved in the build-up to Ncobeni handling the ball in the box, was a constant threat to Thwihli Thwahla’s defence and he forced Nyame into a fantastic diving save.
Thwihli Thwahla grabbed a late winning goal against the run of play with 11 minutes left as super-sub Kabelo Mahlasela scored with a low shot to seal Royal AM’s 1-0 win over Swallows.
Swallows 0
Royal 1 (Mahlasela 79′)
Swallows: February, Basadien, Sasman, Solomons (Malinga 84′), Sait, Nyatama (Mosadi 84′), Mokoena (Mbhele 75′), Ndlovu (Mhlongo 84′), Saleng, Mahlatsi, Musonda (Gamildien 74′).
Royal: Nyame, Rikhotso, Kobedi (Shezi 87′), Manganyi, Matlaba, Mashikinya, Monamodi (Matjila 70′), Ncobeni (Mahlasela 75′), Thikazi (Letsoalo 70′), Pelembe (Mabena 70′), Macuphu.
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