Defending champs knocked out of cup

After a goalless 90-minute clash with Mdladla Peace Maker, the defending Selati Cup champions, Mlambo Royal Cubs, were knocked out of the tournament on Sunday May 18 at the Driekoppies stadium.

They were dealt a 7-6 defeat on penalties.

Royal Cubs came in guns blazing from the onset, dictating the terms of the game 15 minutes after the match got underway.

They were creating some brilliant goalscoring opportunities and applying much pressure on Peace Maker, keeping the ball on their side of the park for most of the opening minutes.

Peace Maker were forced to make an early substitution when Siphosethu Nkosi sustained a head injury while defending a seemingly dangerous corner kick. Bethuel Sibande came on to replace Nkosi.

Royal Cubs took advantage of the height difference between Sibande and Nkosi, targeted Sibande by squaring in their balls from both flanks of the field.

Midfielder and striker, Roggert Nyundu, who is capable of accurate long-range passes, was problematic for Peace Maker’s defence.

Throughout the first half, Nyundu continued to change positions from midfielder to striker, providing through ball over the midfield and unexpecting Peace Maker defenders.

Fifteen minutes before the half-time mark, they regrouped and slowed down the pace of play, allowing them to also start finding ways past Royal Cubs defence.

However, a disciplined back line held it together and fended off all attempts.

Heading into the half-time break, both sides were equally drawn at 0-0, leaving the last eight still up for grabs.

When the second stanza got underway, Peace Maker took control of the game and started dictating terms of the game.

Fifteen minutes into the second stanza, Peace Maker were making holes in Royal Cubs’ defence.

Peace Maker almost opened the scoring when a square ball fell kindly for Elton Sithole, who headed towards goal.

Only for a desperate goal-line clearance by Royal Cubs to deny Sithole’s effort.

Peace Make continued to create scoring opportunities and ask questions of Royal Cubs defence and goalkeeper, most efforts going over and wide at goal.

Royal Cubs were not taking this lying down, also leading attacks and entering into Peace Maker’s half of the pitch. However, they were failing to find one another with Nyundu’s first half accurate passes becoming just too long for his teammates.

Royal Cubs had their chance at taking the lead at the 80-minute mark when they were awarded a corner kick.

Only for an unmarked Mduduzi Nkosi to head the ball wide at the goalpost of a beaten Peace Maker goalkeeper, Herald Mashego.

The match ended goalless, however, the drama was far from over when the teams went into the penalties.

Players from both sides found the back of the net in the penalty shoot-out.

It took a clinical save from Mashego of an on-target shot to break the deadlock, and give Peace Maker a 7-6 victory on penalties.

Other match results:

• Schoemansdal Double Action 8 – Magogeni Classic 3

• Sambo Block B 3 – Mawewe Super Curl 0

• Schoemansdal Junior Aces 5 – Mbuzini Hotspurs 1

• Mananga Royal City 0(2) – Naughty Boys 0(0)

• Langeloop Black Burn 8 – Skhwahlane Young Tigers 0

• Hoyi Darkies 2(3) – Block C Junior Bucks 2(0)

• Driekoppies Barcelona 1 – Kamhlushwa LTD 0.