Sekhukhune United triumph in Nedbank Cup with stellar performance

SEKHUKHUNE UNITED (0) 2

Otladisa 58, Mokhuoane 71

CAPE TOWN CITY 0

THIS SUCCESS was written in the starting line-up, coach Lehlohonolo Seema starting this Nedbank Cup round of 32 match with four players whose names translate to success.

And, somewhat befittingly, one of those found the back of the net, as the 2023 finalists progressed into the last 16 of the country’s premier club knockout competition.

Katlego Otladisa scored the opener for his club, with teammate Relebogile Mokhuoane securing the second, both beating City’s substitute goalkeeper Elson Sithole to ensure the hosts were victorious on the night after yet another home team – Polokwane City – won here on Sunday.

The 24-year-old Sithole was introduced for Dareen Keet after the break, coach Muhsin Ertugral having succeeded with his first half plan of allowing Sekhulhune to come at City so long as they did not score. He wanted his team to avoid over-exerting themselves, lest they succumb to the altitude.

The elite league debutant received a true baptism of fire, Sithole fetching the ball from inside his net twice as Sekhukhune put the backing of their partisan, drum-beating and singing supporters to good use.

Following a first half in which they forced matters and attacked more – albeit because City allowed them – Sekhukhune continued as they were, clearly confident they had the beating of their visitors.

Otladisa scored a peach of a goal to break the deadlock just before the hour mark. Receiving the ball just outside the box, Otladisa made a swift turn and almost at the same time unleashed a piledriver that went in at Sithole’s far post, the player previously on the books of Orlando Pirates clutching at thin air as the ball rattled the net.

City’s attempts at getting back into the game drew a black as the home side remained resolute at the back and generally looked threatening as they surged forward. Not surprising then they scored a second, Mokhuoane adding his name to the scoresheet some 20 minutes before the end.

That was the tie over as a contest and as many changes as Ertugral made to impact the match, it just was not going to be as Sekhukhune joined fellow Limpopo teams Polokwane City, Mpheni Home Defenders and Baroka FC in the last 16.

Magesi FC are next up to try and make it a third home win in a row for the Polokwane sides at this venue when they host SuperSport United Wednesday night.