AmaZulu progressed to the Nedbank Cup round of 16 with a last-gasp 1-0 victory over KwaZulu-Natal rivals Royal AM on Thursday evening.
Nedbank Cup
Result: AmaZulu 1-0 Royal AM
Date: 22 February 2024
Venue: King Zwelithini Stadium
Usuthu made four changes to the side that were thrashed by Cape Town Spurs, as Riaan Hanamub, Tshepang Moremi, Mbongeni Gumede and Ethan Brooks were recalled.
Royal AM, on the other hand, made only one enforced change, as Siphesihle Msomi took the place of the suspended Mzwandile Dlamini.
Pablo Franco Martin had a bright start as they created early chances through Augustine Kwem and Moremi but they could not capitalize.
Usuthu continued to pressurize Royal AM as just after the half-hour mark Ben Motshwari had a chance with a strike from the edge of the box that was parried away by goalkeeper Hugo Nyame.
As John Maduka's men continued to absorb the pressure, they nearly conceded on the stroke of halftime after Taariq Fielies guided a header wide from a lofted free-kick by Wayde Jooste.
The game opened up in the second stanza but AmaZulu had another big chance on the hour-mark after Moremi went clear on goal but he was fouled by the last defender, who only got a yellow card.
Thwihli Thwahla were threatening on counter-attacks and they broke away shortly thereafter but they were thwarted by goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela.
Martin eventually made a double attacking change with 20 minutes to go, as Junior Dion and Hendrick Ekstein replaced both Kwem and Moremi.
Ekstein eventually broke the deadlock for AmaZulu in the last five minutes with a close-range finish and that proved to be the winner, as Usuthu went through to the round of 16.
Here's how they lined up:
AmaZulu: AmaZulu: Mzimela, Jooste, Hanamub, Fielies, Gumede, Mphahlele, Motshwari, Brooks, Kwem, Mbanjwa, Moremi
Subs: Mothwa, Ngobeni, Sikhakhane, Maluleka, Ngema, Mulenga, Ekstein, Dion, Ndlovu
Royal AM: Nyame, Mabuza, Jiyane, Shezi, Matlaba, Mahlasela, Msomi, Magaqa, Masuku, Maxwele, Macuphu,
Subs: Mpoto, Sera, Kobedi, Mashiane, Thikazi, Ndlovu, Sithole, Sikakane, Cele
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