ANDREW MUCHINERIPI, Johannesburg | Monday 10.00am.
MANNING Rangers leaped, Free State Stars sweeped and Orlando Pirates creeped into the Rothmans Cup semi-finals with title favourites Sundowns set to join them next weekend.
While victory for Rangers over newly-promoted Classic came as no surprise, the 5-1 aggregate margin certainly did after the Tembisa club had taken a one-goal lead to rain-lashed Chatsworth Stadium in Durban.
Little went right for the visitors who lost goalkeeper Innocent Mayoyo after only six minutes through injury and had Obed Musonda sent off 15 minutes into the second half when one goal behind.
Recalled Solo Ndimande scored in each half for the Mighty Maulers and goals by Bradley Muir, Zimbabwean Gilbert Mushangazhike and Keryn Jordan completed the rout and erased memories of a shock quarter-final loss to Seven Stars last year.
Free State Stars travelled to the East Rand with a two-goal advantage over Jomo Cosmos and won again thanks to a superbly-struck goal by Democratic Republic of Congo striker Bunene Ngaduane just before half-time.
Ngaduane volleyed a long through ball from Themba Seli over goalkeeper Simon Gopane and Cosmos barely looked like scoring one goal, never mind the four needed, during the second half.
Pirates had sufficient chances to increase a 2-0 first-leg lead when they met Hellenic at FNB Stadium with substitute Vusi Mncwanga the biggest culprit as he failed to score from a twice-taken penalty.
Hellenic, who had Craig Bianchi sent off for two bookings and Shaheem Bobbs for handling the ball inside the penalty area, impressed in defence and midfield only to be let down up front.