As early as the sixth minute, Notwane broke the deadlock with their first chance at goal. Captain Kudzanai Machadzani took a giant leap to deliver a powerful header which went past the goalkeeper, Matshwenyego Koobonye, to open the scores. Notwane did not keep their foot off the pedal as they probed to double the lead.
On the 22nd minute, they got the second through Sithembile Mbuqe. The latter received a pin point pass from Joseph Pyele who saw him unmarked inside the box and he made no mistake. Santos tried to stage a comeback but the goalkeeper for Notwane, Basimanebotlhe Moilwa's superb saves denied them on few occassions. Santos striker, Tumelo Sentle, nearly found the back of the net but the woodwork came to Notwane's rescue. Notwane head coach, Thaloba Nthaga who recently just rekindled with the team after his short stint at Masitaoka, was impressed with his side's early domination.
"First half, we played very well. Our transition game was spot on; two beautiful goals. They took pressure off us because we have not been playing well and they made us settle down," Nthaga happily said. Nthaga was, however, not impressed with the second half display from his side. "In the second half we went too deep.
I think we went too deep hence they came after us but we were able to deal with whatever they were throwing at us," he said. He further added that he hopes his troops could use the win to get better results in the league and also inspire them to go further in the FA Cup. Meanwhile Santos assistant coach, Ontse Ntese said: Tthe game went well, it is only that they scored early. We gave them those goals and in the second half we showed them who are the better side but they were lucky we could not convert," he said. Now that Santos is out of the Cup, Ntese hoped his side could now fully focus on the league and get the results. "We don't want to put ourselves under pressure for promotion but we will play every game to get the results. So a promotion will be a bonus," Ntese hoped.
The teams Notwane: Basimanebotlhe Moilwa, Joseph Pyele (Bokamoso Moncho), Kudzanai Machadzani, Sithembile Mbuqe, Botsetswe Othusegile, Tumelo Thebe, Thabang Ofitlhile, Emmanuel Ramotoroko, Gaolathe Mbaiwa (Larona Seloba), Molemi Dibuile (Mphoyamodimo Keiponye), Donald Botshoma.
Santos: Matshwenyego Koobonye, Moagi Noge, Bushe Gunda, Tlamelo Abueng, Goitsemodimo Zoko, Mosimanegape Pelaelo, Bosa Mokgweetsi, Tshepo Mbulawa, Thapelo Jacob, Tumelo Sentle, Lemogang Kabo (Mathews Moruti).
Notwane 2 (Machadzani 6th, Mbuqe 22nd) Santos 0
