Defending champions Marumo Gallants joined their former namesake Tshakhuma in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals after beating Baroka 1-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
On Friday night GladAfrica Championship team Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila came from two goals down to beat SuperSport United 3-2 after extra time, to book their place in the last four.
Gallants, are the defending champions although they won it under the TTM monicker before changing names last year.
Marumo Gallants 1-0 Baroka
It was Gallants who had arguably had the better of the opening exchanges, Lerato Lamola forcing a save from Elvis Chipezeze in the 14th minute, before Sibusiso Kumalo went wide moments later.
Baroka’s first real chance came in the 20th minute but Bennet Bobete skied his effort. Their first attempt at target came in the 26th minute, but King Ndlovu wasn’t troubled by Sipho Maluleke’s header.
Phillip Ndlondlo’s free-kick attempt in the 35th minute was off target, as was Lehlohonolo Nonyane’s free-kick in the 43rd minute. At half-time it remained goalless.
Ndlondo got a shot on target in the 61st minute, but Chipezeze was able to save the attempt from the left of goal.
Gallants went even closer two minutes later, but substitute Sede Dion’s header struck the upright. Katlego Otladisa’s 68th-minute header flew just wide.
Baroka had a rare chance in the 70th minute, Evidence Makhopa, breaking free down the right before squaring the ball, but Maluluke’s attempted header was always going off target.
Dion went wide in the 77th minute with an ambitious shot, but the Ivorian wasn’t to be denied two minutes later, as his well taken header from Monde Mphambaniso’s cross beat Chipezeze to make it 1-0.
It was a deserved lead for Dan Malesela’s team who had dominated proceedings For the final ten minutes they then defended well as Baroka tried to find their way back into the game, but Ndlovu’s goal was hardly threatened.
The end of the road for Baroka, who are bottom of the DStv Premiership table, and will now need to put all their focus on retaining their top flight status.
