Royal AM needed a stoppage-time winner at Chatsworth Stadium against the University of Pretoria to progress to the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup.
AmaTuks side took a two-goal lead on Sunday afternoon through Wonderboy Makhubu (19′, 27′).
The second-placed DStv Premiership side were back in the game from a Victor Letsoalo penalty on 58 minutes.
The in-form Letsoalo then added to his goal-tally with his second on 79 minutes and second-half substitute Mfundo Thikazi popped up with the winner four minutes into stoppage time to claim a 3-2 win.
The home team had started well with Sanele Barns seeing his good early strike well saved before Makhubu was narrowly wide with a header from a Malesela Chokoe delivery.
Kamogelo Pheeane was next to go close as Tuks continued to pepper their opponents’ goal, and it wasn’t long before they took one of their chances, with Makhubu making no mistake with his 19th-minute header from another pinpoint Chokoe cross.
Makhubu was never going to miss with his well-taken effort soon after to leave Royal AM stunned and in need of a reaction.
Mxolisi Macuphu tested Dumisani Msibi with a strong drive, ahead of a Letsoalo header that the Tuks stopper dealt with well, as the half drew to a close.
Royal AM were a little more lively as the second half kicked off, but Ndumiso Mabena saw his 53rd-minute strike fly just wide of the target before Zukile Mkhize’s rocket of a shot was blocked en route to goal.
𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 ✅
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) April 10, 2022
Royal AM fight back from 2-0 down to score three unanswered goals in the second half through Letsoalo (brace) and Thikazi. They are through to #NedbankCup semifinals. pic.twitter.com/clC3SI67Jw
But there was no stopping Letsoalo from pulling a goal back from the penalty spot with a confidently taken kick, having won a foul in the area.
Kabelo Mahlasela came close as the home side increased the pressure in attack, but there were chances for both sides with the University of Pretoria’s Thabang Sibanyoni unlucky to skew his 67th-minute effort wide, as Lulama Maqoko headed inches past a post after connecting to a good Samuel Julies ball into the box.
But Royal AM were next to find the back of the net, with an unstoppable shot from Letsoalo just inside the area, that left Msibi with no chance.
Tuks were throwing everything at the ball to try and keep Royal AM quiet and came so close to stealing a late winner only to succumb to a last-gasp tap-in from Thikazi after a swift, sweeping move forward, and good ball into the box from fellow substitute Sedwyn George.
Royal AM will now play one of Mamelodi Sundowns, Marumo Gallants or Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup.
