Stallions canter into Nedbank Cup quarterfinals

Milford FC have added their name to the Nedbank Cup quarterfinal draw after they defeated lower-league Mkhambathi FC 3-0 at the Richards Bay Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Stallions, of the Motsepe Foundation Championship, became the fourth KwaZulu-Natal club to advance into the national cup’s last eight (joining AmaZulu FC, Durban City and Golden Arrows) thanks to goals from second-half substitutes Bulelani Sigomoshe and Siphosethu Ndlabi, as well as a late strike from Tonny Mbunga.

Mkhambathi settled into an attacking rhythm from early on, and created a decent chance for Mbuso Mdakane in the eighth minute, though he sliced his effort wide of the mark.

Milford started to come to life from around the 20 minute mark, with a low drive from Menzi Chili drawing a save from Mkhambathi goalkeeper Sanele Mthembu.

Just before the half-hour mark the hosts had a great chance to claim the lead, with a corner kick causing all kinds of problems in the Mkhambathi penalty area, before the ball fell kindly for Comfort Sibiya, but he blazed a volley over the crossbar.

The teams continued to trade half-chances through the latter stages of the first half, as well as into the second stanza, before Milford claimed the lead in the 67th minute. Substitute Bulelani Sigomoshe got on the end of a corner kick delivery and scored with a thumping header at the near post.

The Stallions then doubled their advantage in the 76th minute, with Sigomashe turning provider by whipping in a fine cross from the right flank which was elegantly helped into the back of the net by fellow sub Siphosethu Ndlabi.

With the cup tie fully under their control, Milford went into game management mode for the final phase of the encounter, and did well to prevent Mkhambathi from having any hint of a comeback.

In fact, the MFC side put a cherry on top with a third goal, arriving in the 88th minute. Sigomashe once again played a pivotal role, beating a man down the left before teeing up Tonny Mbunga to strike home and complete an emphatic triumph.

The Stallions will learn their quarterfinal opponent when the draw is conducted at the SuperSport studios in Johannesburg on Monday evening.

Milford FC (0) 3 (Sigomashe 67’, Ndlabi 76’, Mbunga 88’)

Mkhambathi FC 0

Milford: Madondo, Mbunga, Khwanya, Cele, Mdluli, Mkhize, Mthethwa (Joyi 73’), Chili (Jwara 73’), Zikakayo (Siyaya 82’), Xulu (Ndlabi 56’) Sibiya (Sigomashe 56’)

Mkhambathi: Mthembu, Khanyile, M. Ndelu, Ngutshane, Zondo, Mtsila, Mbutho (L. Ndelu 58’), Mdakane (Mthembu 80’), Ndlovu (Mkhwanazi 58’), Kunene (Duma 71’)