Nedbank Cup – Real Kings 0-4 Bidvest Wits: Rampant Clever Boys ease into semi-finals
Terrence Dzvukamanja (brace), Lorenzo Gordinho and Bienvenu Evanga all netted for the Students in Pietermaritzburg
Bidvest Wits eased into the 2019/20 Nedbank Cup semi-finals after securing a comfortable 4-0 win over Real Kings in the quarter-final on Friday night.
Kings were looking to reach the semi-finals for the first time having eliminated fellow National First Division (NFD) side Mbombela United in the Round of 16.
Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielders Edmore Chirambadare and Philani Cele both started for Mike Lukhubene’s side as they looked to cause an upset.
On the other hand, Wits were hoping to keep their hopes of winning the Nedbank Cup for the third time alive having defeated fellow PSL side Chippa United in the previous round.
Gavin Hunt named a strong team with Terrence Dzvukamanja, who scored the winning goal against Black Leopards on Tuesday, starting upfront alongside Bienvenu Evanga.
Wits dominated the match from the start and they should have grabbed an early goal through Dzvukamanja, but his low effort was cleared off the goal-line by Zukile Mkhize.
Kings were struggling to contain the visitors, who were playing enterprising football with Phathutshedzo Nange making good runs into the opposition’s box from midfield.
Nange was sent through on goal, but Kings goalkeeper Sabelo Nkomo came out and produced a magnificent low save to deny the Wits midfielder in a one-on-one situation.
The hosts came very close to scoring when Sedwyn George’s goal-bound effort was brilliantly finger-tipped over the crossbar by Wits keeper Brandon Petersen following a rare attack by Lukhubene’s men.
However, Kings were left to rue that chance as Evanga headed home Zitha Macheke’s cross to make it 1-0 to Wits in the 43rd minute, heading into the half-time break.
The Clever Boys continued to attack after the restart and they grabbed two quick goals through Lorenzo Gordinho and Dzvukamanja.
Former Bloemfontein Celtic central defender Gordinho, who was unmarked, headed home from Elias Pelembe’s corner-kick to make it 2-0 to Wits in the 51st minute.
The visitors were soon 3-0 up three minutes later when Zimbabwe international Dzvukamanja hit the back of the net with a deflected effort with Nange grabbing an assist.
Hunt’s men were running rampant as Dzvukamanja completed his brace to make it 4-0 after rounding Nkomo, before passing the ball into an empty net just after the hour-mark.
Lukhubene reacted by introducing former Black Leopards striker Mziwokuthula Zimu as the hosts pushed for late goals against former PSL champions.
However, Wits stood firm at the back and ultimately, they recorded a comfortable 4-0 victory over Kings.
The result saw the Clever Boys become the first team to advance to this season’s semi-finals, while Kings bowed out of the tournament.
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