Two Limpopo teams, Baroka FC and Polokwane city, secured places in the quarterfinal stage of the prestigious Nedbank Cup KO competition.
City beat Platinum Stars 2-1 in extra time at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Saturday, while the NFD side, Baroka FC, rose to the occasion and beat the Absa Premiership League side, Lamontville Golden Arrows, 2-0 at the Chatsworth Stadium in Durban on Sunday.
The scorers for City were Edgar Manaka and Arlington Nyadombo, while Robert Ng'ambi hit the target for Stars.
Arrows started the game positively and almost took the lead in the sixth minute when a strike from the edge of the box by Nduduzo Sibiya struck the upright. Baroka began to find their footing in the game and earned a penalty on the stroke of half time when Donald Makondelela was brought down by Musa Bilankulu within the box. Jacky Motshegwa volunteered to take the penalty and converted from the spot.
Some quick counter-attacking play by the Baroka midfielders gave rise to the visitors' second goal in the 74th minute. Loyiso Simadla scored with a volley, following a square pass from Ndivhuwo "Segere" Ravhuhali.
Another Limpopo-based side, Magezi FC, were booted out of the competition by Bidvest Wits. They were brutally walloped 6-0 at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium last Friday evening.
Free State Stars are also through to the quarterfinal stage. They beat Santos 1-0 at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday evening. The Stars' goal was an own goal. Igraam Rayners, the Santos' defender, scored an unfortunate goal while attempting to head the ball back to his goalie.
Jomo Cosmos will not take part in the next round of the competition. They lost 1-3 to Orlando Pirates at the Olën Park Stadium in Potchefstroom on Saturday. Mamelodi Sundowns beat Mbombela United 3-1 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria. Maritzburg United lost 0-2 to Mpumalanga Black Aces at the Kanyamazane Stadium in Nelspruit.