Free Stars Stars booked their place in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals following their 2-1 victory over Chippa United at Goble Park on Saturday afternoon, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The Chilli Boys got off to a good start and nearly opened the scoring after eight minutes when Thabo Rakhale unleashed a strike from outside the box, but Stars goalkeeper Thela Ngobeni was on hand to deny the winger.

Mark Mayambela came close to breaking the deadlock, but the forward volleyed his effort over the target from outside the area.

Chippa had a golden opportunity to take the lead after 34 minutes, but James Okwuosa saw his effort sail over the target from close range.

The match went into the half-time interval with the scoreline locked at 0-0.

Ea Lla Koto took the lead five minutes into the second half when Paulus Masehe latched on to Sinethemba Jantjie’s corner to find the back of the net from close range.

The visitors then levelled matters just before the hour mark after Linda Mntambo’s strike found the net to make it 1-1.

However, Stars put the game to bed in the closing stages of the match as Bangali Keita slotted his effort past Brighton Mhlongo from close range to secure their place in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals.

In other Nedbank Cup results:

Baroka 2-0 Steenberg United

Photo: Frikkie Kapp/BackpagePix