Coastal United are into the final of the DStv Compact Cup after beating Dinaledi 3-0, with goals from Ashley Du Preez, Taariq Fielies and 16-year-old Luphumlo Sifumba, in the first semi-final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Coastal United were coached by Stellenbosch’s Steve Barker, while Marumo Gallants’ Dan Malesela was in charge of Dinaledi.
United grabbed the lead in the ninth minute as they pounced on a defensive mix-up, Ashley Du Preez blasting home after Ricardo Goss had saved Evidence Makgopa’s initial attempt.
Dinaledi pushed for an equaliser and Gaston Sirino caused problems in the 17th minute with an attempted chip from an acute angle, but Oscarine Masuluke was able to make the save.
Makgopa almost made it two in the 28th minute, but his attempt from the edge of the box struck the crossbar.
But it was 2-0 in the 36th minute, as Taariq Fielies was given two chances to shoot, and while his first was blocked by Sipho Mbule, his second attempt, went into the bottom right corner.
Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo shot just over in 38th minute for Dinaledi, while Terrence Mashego forced a good save out of Goss at the other end two minutes later.
2-0 at the break, Dinaledi were awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute after a handball by substitute Athenkosi Mcaba. Sirino stepped up to take the spot kick, but Masuluke did well to save the Uruguayan’s attempt.
Luphumlo Sifumba, the highly rated Cape Town City 16-year-old made an immediate impression in the 68th minute, when having only just come onto the pitch, he scored a beauty giving substitute Reyaad Pieterse no chance.
United were down to ten men after Robyn Johannes picked up a second yellow card in the 74th minute, but a minute later, despite being down to ten men, Sifumba almost set up a fourth, but Rushine De Reuck made a crucial interception.
Thabo Rakhale came on with ten minutes to go, and almost pulled one back but his shot went just wide of the goal, while Lesedi Kapinga went wide in the 87th minute. Sifumba went just wide with a cheeky attempt two minutes later.
At the full time whistle it remained 3-0, and United are into next week’s final.
Warriors beat Amabutho 2-1 in the second semi-final later in the day.
