Sekhukhune United emerged as 1-0 winners over the University of Pretoria in a tightly contested Nedbank Cup Round of 16 encounter, which was played at the Tuks Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Therefore, Babina Noko progressed to the quarterfinals of the biggest cup competition in South Africa, after avoiding an upset against a lower division side. The Limpopo outfit will be back in action on March 1 as they travel to Tshwane to take on champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership.
Tuks, on the other hand, saw their promising Nedbank Cup journey end in disappointment, narrowly losing on home soil. The Tshwane-based side now shifts their full attention to the Motsepe Foundation Championship, where they face a key clash against Baroka FC on March 1.
The first half was a cagey affair, with Tuks and Babina Noko struggling to create clear-cut opportunities. Possession was frequently squandered, and long-range efforts from either team lacked the precision or power needed to seriously trouble goalkeepers Toaster Nsabata and Tokollo Makgolane. The teams went into the break locked at 0-0.
Babina Noko raised the intensity after the break, with coach Eric Tinkler making key changes by bringing on the creative Keketso Makgalwa and Tshepo Mokoane. Sekhukhune took a 1-0 advantage in the 55th minute when eventual Man of the Match Vuyo Letlapa scored his first-ever professional goal, outsmarting and beating Makgolane.
In response, Tinkler's counterpart, Kwanele Kopo, sought to inject fresh energy into the Tuks attack by bringing on Lucky Letwaba and Kamogelo Pheeane in the 69th minute, as the visitors pushed hard for an equaliser. However, Tinkler countered decisively, introducing defender Bright Ndlovu and the change provided crucial defensive solidity, allowing Sekhukhune to hold firm and secure a 1-0 win.
AmaTuks 0
Sekhukhune (0) 1 (Letlapa 55')
AmaTuks: Makgolane, Mahlangu (Ah Shene 87'), Makara, Mgwaba, Nkosi (Pheeane 69'), Sebetlela, Mabaso (Mtshweni 46'), Norawana (Nkwana 46'), Teto (Letwaba 69'), Sibiya, Nxumalo.
Sekhukhune: Nsabata, Letlapa, Nku (Mokoane 46'), Mashiloane, Tshibwabwa, Cardoso, Mkhize, Mncube (Ndlovu 81'), Mampuru (Makgalwa 46'), Monare (Phiri 68'), Mojela (Grobler 68').