AmaZulu advanced to the last eight of the Nedbank Cup after defeating last year’s runners-up Sekhukhune United 2-0 on Thursday night.
Nyiko Mobbie’s suspension allowed Katlego Mkhabela a start while Elias Mokwana also brought into the Sekhukhune line-up, while Usuthu restored Sede Dion to lead the attacj.
The host threatened the breakthrough midway in the first half through a diving header by Chibuike Ohizu following a pin-point cross, but Usuthu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa parried well.
Usuthu were in the lead though two minutes thereafter when a scramble right on the near post of the area saw Dion step in to arrow into the roof of the net.
Babina Noko remained buoyant despite falling behind and were in extremely close to the equaliser just before the break off a surging header by Ohizu, but Mothwa ensured a save.
Ahead of the resumption, Usuthu were forced into a change as the goal-scorer Dion battled to continue seeing out the match and needed to be replaced by Victor Letsoalo.
Sekhukhune maintained focus minutes in the second period as Mokwana nodded a well-placed cross into the box from Mkhabela wide of the mark.
The boys from Durban doubled the lead though over 20 minutes inside the resumption when Letsoalo dispossessed goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner in the box before slotting into an empty net.
In a gallant effort to get back in the swing of things, Babina Noko introduced a number of substitutions in Michael Sarpong, Maloisane Mokhele, Jamie Webber and Thamsanqa Masiya.
Usuthu didn’t relent in any shape or form but remained courageous and walked away with the win and a place in the quarter-finals.
Confirmed line-ups:
Sekhukhune United: Leaner, Mkhabela, Tiwani, Tshibwabwa, Cardoso, Mntambo, Mokotjo, Mkhiz, Ohizu, Mokwana, Mncube
Subs: Mtsweni, Rikhotso, Mohamme, Ntiya-Ntiya, Mahlangu, Webber, Masiya, Sarpong, Mokhele
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Sikhakhane, Hanamub, Fielies, Gumede, Mphahlele, Ngema, Brooks, Dion, Mulenga, Ekstein
Subs: Mbanjwa, Ngobeni, Jooste, Zulu, Human, Moremi, Mbanjwa, Letsoalo, Kwem
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
Click HERE to register!
