Tshakhuma RO United beat Benny’s Sports Academy 6-4 in the regional final of the Nedbank Cup KO competition at the FNB Makwarela Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

It took RO United only five minutes to open their account. Lufuno Mugodi won the ball from the left corner and beat two defenders before dishing a pre-cooked pass to the unmarked Thivhulawi Silima, who gave the ball the final touch. Realising that it would not be easy for them to match the opponents when it came to aerial balls, Academy continued to play their normal "carpet football" from behind.

Mulisa Luvhengo of United was the first player to be reprimanded with a card. He tackled Philip Moyo from behind and the referee, Mr Avhasei Simba, was lenient enough to let him go with yellow. United came close to scoring again in the 14th minute, but their centre forward, Lufuno “CJ” Mugodi, was unlucky as his volley went a little wide.

Academy effected the first change to their starting lineup by replacing Thompho Malifhe with Maduvha Matodzi. It was in the 29th minute when Academy found the much-awaited equalizer. Loyd Davhana scored with a long-range volley. The keeper of United, Khuthadzo Mukomafhedzi, palmed the ball back into the net in an attempt to clear.

The score was 1-1 at the end of the regulated time and the winner was determined through penalty shootout. United converted all their chances via Khathutshelo Mukomafhedzi, Ronny Matodzi, Lufuno Mugodi, Thivhulawi Silima and Asivhanzi Muthubi. Alton Kapinga, Loyd Davhana and Maduvha Matodzi scored for the Academy.

Tshakhuma RO United will meet the representatives from the other four regions on a date and venue still to be announced to determine a team that will represent the province in the last-32 stage of the Nedbank Cup KO competition.