Chippa United booked their spot in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals after securing a 2-0 victory over TS Galaxy on Sunday afternoon.
Revived Samir Nurkovic was up top again for the Rockets before Chippa had Stanley Nwabali back in goal with Sinoxolo Kwayiba wide of the attack after victory over Kaizer Chiefs last Saturday.
Nurkovic very nearly continued his sharpness in front of goal through a quick effort on the turn following a cross from the right-side, but sadly squandered.
The Chilli Boys still experienced difficult moments and were almost behind past the midway mark when a half-volley right in the area by Nurkovic struck the woodwork.
Former Orlando Pirates striker Bienvenu Eva Nga made the breakthrough on the half-hour mark after nodding in a long-throw amidst the efforts from the opposite stopper Fabrice Ntwari.
Chippa did make a substitution in the 43rd minute after Kwayiba sustained a knock from a heavy challenge and had Namibian Elmo Kambindu come on.
Nga nearly secured a brace a minute to halftime when he fired in a curling shot from 30-yards, but a tremendous stop from Ntwari denied him.
The Rockets went to the bench before the resumption and brought on Kamogelo Sebelele in place of Sphiwe Mahlangu before Puso Dithejane made way for Orebotse Mongae.
Galaxy aimed to go level minutes apart through the penetrations around the area by Lehlohonolo Mojela and Nurkovic, but neither managed to open up the Chilli Boys.
Kambindu got an inviting opportunity to extend their lead off Ntwari’s loose clearance though after twisting and turning around the area, he snapped wide.
The Chilli Boys pulled up again in the latter exchanges and drew a goal-line clearance from the host following a shot by substitute Ronaldo Maarman.
Galaxy got a chance to level as Sirgio Kammies conceded a penalty following a hand-ball, but Nwabali turned up and denied Pogiso Sanoka to keep them in the lead.
More drama followed right at the other end with Chippa giving a spot-kick with Aviwe Mqokozo fouled, leaving Roscoe Pietersen to dispatch from the spot.
Chippa were victorious and entered the semi-finals alongside Mamelodi Sundowns, Stellenbosch FC and reigning champions Orlando Pirates.
Confirmed line-ups:
TS Galaxy: Ntwari, Munyai, Mahlangu, Sanoka, Kabini, Mvelase, Khiba, Mojela, Dithejane, Nurkovic, Mahlangu
Subs: Kolak, Mongae, Seema, Mbunjana, Semache, Letsoenyo, Zwane, Rakwena, Sebelebele
Chippa United: Nwabali, Kammies, Majogoro, Modise, Makhele, Chabalala, Mosele, Kwayiba, Martin, Konoobe, Eva Nga
Subs: Johnson, Pietersen, Luthuli, Maarman, Kambindu, Mookozo, Memela, Nhlapo, Mthembu
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