The surprise package of the Premier Soccer League this season, Free State Stars faced fellow league competitors Chippa United who received their marching orders with a 2-1 defeat to Ea La Koto at Goble Park on Saturday afternoon.

Although the sides headed into the half-time break deadlocked at 0-0, the home side wasted no time in changing that courtesy of a Paulus Masehe set piece goal moments after play resumed.

Chippa equalised in the 57th minute thanks to Linda Mntambo but the now 1-1 scoreline was not to be as Stars defender Bengali Keita headed home to make it 2-1 with 2 minutes of regular time remaining.

Siwelele in their turn dispatched Richards Bay 3-1 to secure their spot in the cup quarters and in so doing take a step closer to possible cup honours.

Celtic were dominant for most of the match scoring 3 unanswered goals against the KwaZulu-Natal based team before they responded with 1 of their own deep into extra time.

The quarterfinal draw for the Nedbank Cup is expected to be made later this week but not before the 2 remaining round of 16 fixtures between Mamelodi Sundowns and the EC Bees on Tuesday followed by Cape Town City and Orlando Pirates on Wednesday.