Sundowns, Stellies, Pirates and Chippa into Nedbank Cup semis

Mamelodi Sundowns, Stellenbosch FC, Orlando Pirates and Chippa United have advanced from the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup following an entertaining weekend of action in South Africa’s national cup competition.

Chippa United are the surprise package in the final four after they secured an upset 2-0 away win over hosts TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium in Sunday’s lone match.

The Rockets, unbeaten in five matches, were strongly tipped to win, but the Chilli Boys put up a sound defensive performance and offered a potent threat from set pieces and on the counter attack to earn themselves a third straight win across all competitions – thanks to a first-half header from Bienvenu Eva Nga and a late penalty from Roscoe Pietersen.

The #NedbankCup semi-finals are locked in. The defending champions have a tough assignment away from home ⚖ pic.twitter.com/Yi9uY082cA

The quarterfinals got going on Friday evening with a Tshwane derby between the University of Pretoria and Mamelodi Sundowns.

SUNDOWNS PREVAIL ON PENALTIES

AmaTuks very nearly staged a major upset, holding the heavyweights 1-1 over 120 minutes (with goals from Delano Abrahams and Lucas Ribeiro), but the Brazilians ultimately emerged 4-3 victors on penalties thanks to some heroics from Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

STELLIES RUN RIOT

Saturday’s afternoon game was one-way traffic at the Danie Craven Stadium, as Stellenbosch FC continued their excellent season with a 4-0 destruction of SuperSport United.

Anicet Oura, Devin Titus, Andre de Jong and Iqraam Rayners all found the back of the net as Stellies put up arguably the best performance of an outstanding campaign thus far – including a current run of 21 games unbeaten in official competitions.

PIRATES TOO GOOD