AmaZulu FC defeated Lamontvile Golden Arrows 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 match at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Saturday evening.
As a result, Usuthu advanced to the Last 16 after winning an entertaining KwaZulu-Natal Derby match, while Abafana Bes’thende crashed out of the competition.
The chances came thick and fast inside the opening 13 minutes of the game with AmaZulu midfielder Xola Mlambo missing the target after being sent through on goal.
At the other hand, Michael Gumede hit the side-netting after being set-up by his strike partner Knox Mutizwa as Arrows looked to break the deadlock.
The opening goal came in the 14th minute when Mutizwa’s pass found Gumede, who fired past AmaZulu goalkeeper Siyabonga Mbatha to make it 1-0 to Arrows.
Usuthu then pressed Abafana Bes’thende as they looked to level matters, but Sifiso Mlungwana was in top form between the sticks for the home side.
The bulky shot-stopper produced a brilliant diving save to deny Bonginkosi Ntuli on the half-hour mark, before parrying away Siphelele Magubane’s free-kick in the 40th minute.
The hosts were then able to contain AmaZulu and Arrows were leading 1-0 at the interval.
Abafana Bes’thende’ defence frustrated the Usuthu attackers after the restart and AmaZulu coach Benni McCarthy decided to make changes.
The Bafana Bafana legend introduced experienced centre forwards Siphelele Mthembu and Lehlohonolo Majoro just before the hour-mark.
Sibusiso Mabiliso connected with a well-taken corner-kick from second-half substitute Luvuyo Memela with nine minutes left on the clock.
However, the South Africa under-23 international placed his effort just over the crossbar without troubling Mlungwana in the hosts’ goal-posts.
AmaZulu did grab a late goal in stoppage time when Memela’s delightful cross was turned home by Majoro to make it 1-1 and the game ended in a draw in regulation time and extra-time followed.
Arrows midfielder Ntsako Makhubela was sent-off in extra-time after receiving his second yellow card, but the hosts were able to contain AmaZulu and ultimately, the game ended in a draw and a penalty shootout followed.
AmaZulu went on to win 5-4 on penalties as they converted all five of the penalty kicks with Memela scoring the last one to send Usuthu to the Last 16.
Golden Arrows (1) 1 (Gumede 14′)AmaZulu (0) 1 (Majoro 90’+2)TEAMS:
Golden Arrows:Mlungwana, Dunga, Sibisi, Zuke, M. Dube, Mmodi, L.Dube (Phiri 59′), Makhubela, Parusnath (Sibiya 79′), Gumede (Mtshali 59′), Mutizwa (Sabelo 80′)
AmaZulu:Mbatha, Sikhakhane, Mabiliso, Mzava, Gumede, Makhaula (Mgwazela 95′), Mlambo, Ncube (Majoro 58′), Magubane (Xoki 66′), Mulenga (Memela 74′), Ntuli (Mthembu 58′).© Backpage TXT.
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
