Tshakhuma RO United booked a place in the regional final of the Nedbank Cup by beating Western Stars 2-0 at a packed FNB Makwarela Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

As if they were hypnotized, the strikers of Western Stars were looking weary from the first whistle. United failed to capitalise, allowing Stars to gain momentum. The keeper of United, Ligwaza Sigaba, made his presence felt when he stretched to the limit to palm Percy Munonoka’s volley away for a corner kick.

United opened their account in the 28th minute. Their overlapping midfielder, Ndivhuwo Makhado, beat the offside trap and headed home easily.

Western Stars realised that it was not their day when they missed a fortune seven minutes later. A defender of United, Asivhanzhi Muthubi, handled the ball within his own penalty box. The referee, Mr Dion Mphuma, wasted no time to point at the white spot for a penalty, but Pfano Sithuga caused an upset by shooting far wide.

Western Stars were the first to effect a change to their starting line-up. They replaced Robie Munonoka and Petrus Rasilingwane with Tshimangadzo Masala and Dolphus Rambau respectively. United responded by introducing Victor Mukhaukhau for Vhutshilo Nkhumeleni.

United increased the margin via Ipfi Muthubi, who unleashed from the left corner. Mashudu Nembilwi of United was warned with a card for obstruction on Percy Munonoka, and Munonoka was given his marching orders in the 78th minute for using foul language at the assistant referee.