AMAZULU DUMP CAPE TOWN CITY OUT OF TKO
Cape Town City’s hopes of back-to-back cup titles went up in smoke on Tuesday night when they were beaten 2-0 by AmaZulu in a Telkom Knockout last 16 clash.
Usuthu’s victory at the King Zwelithini Stadium sees them compete the quarterfinal line-up alongside SuperSport United, Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Baroka FC, Maritzburg United, Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits.
The first clear chance of the match fell the way of AmaZulu striker Bongi Ntuli, who had the beating of Sage Stephens with a low shot but saw his effort cleared from almost under his own crossbar by Keanu Cupido in the 23rd minute.
Four minutes later City had their first effort on goal, with Thabo Nodada’s low shot collected at the second attempt by AmaZulu goalkeeper Siyabonga Mbatha.
The final attacking highlight of the first half saw Craig Martin have a chance at the far post, but he blazed his effort over to leave the game locked at 0-0 heading into the break.
City made a change at the start of the second half, introducing Ayanda Patosi off the bench, but Usuthu had the first shot in anger after the restart, with Ntuli’s effort flying straight to Stephens.
AmaZulu looked the more enterprising team in the second stanza and claimed the lead on 63 minutes. Thembela Sikhakhane played a low cross from the right and Emiliano Tade showed great composure to pick his spot in the bottom corner of the net.
Just three minutes later the team in green doubled their advantage, as a long throw-in led to a mix-up in the City penalty area and Ntuli had a poacher’s instinct to latch onto a loose ball and fire home a low shot from a tight angle.
With the match under control, AmaZulu throttled back and saw out the remaining quarter with relative ease, as City were unable to find any way back into the contest.
AmaZulu (0) 2 (Tade 63’, Ntuli 66’)
Cape Town City 0
AmaZulu: Mbatha, Sikhakhane, Gumede, Ouro-Akoriko, Mabiliso, Vilakazi, Darpoh, Van Heerden, Karuru (Sithebe 74’), Ntuli (Cele 83’), Tade (Khenyeza 86’)
City: Stephens, Mkhize, Mngonyama, Cupido, Edmilson, Martin (Patosi 46’), Nodada, Matsi (Akosah-Bempah 84’), Links, Mthembu, Kateregga (Kewuti 64’)
