Sekhukhune United booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Carling Knockout after a comfortable 3-1 win over Richards Bay at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday evening.

Babina Noko went into the match in good form, having picked up back-to-back victories in the league. The Natal Rich Boys, by contrast, arrived without a win in all competitions and still recovering from a heavy 4-1 defeat against Mamelodi Sundowns. Both sides knew a place in the last eight was at stake.

The first half produced little clear-cut action. Sekhukhune tried to force the issue early when a cross from the right found Ellis Rammala, but his header went wide. Richards Bay struggled to settle and offered little going forward. With the sides still level at the break, Sekhukhune coach brought on Mcedisi Vandala for Oageng Phiri in an attempt to add more energy in attack.

The breakthrough arrived seven minutes into the second half. Chibuike Ohizu latched onto a ball played over the top, rounded the goalkeeper Ian Otieno and finished calmly to put the hosts ahead. Vandala nearly made it two soon afterwards, but Otieno got down well to save his effort.

Sekhukhune made the game safe late on when Thabang Makubo broke clear from midfield and fired past Otieno for his first goal of the campaign. Richards Bay responded almost immediately. Nqaba Xulu found space in the box after some uncertain defending and finished into the bottom corner to pull one back.

Any hope of a comeback was quickly ended. Substitute Bethuel Muzeu met a precise cross with a firm header into the bottom corner to restore Sekhukhune’s two-goal cushion and seal the result.

The win sends Babina Noko into the quarter-finals of the single-leg competition, while Richards Bay’s poor run continues. Sekhukhune will now wait to learn their next opponents as the Carling Knockout moves into the later stages.

Source: https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2114419823362904548