AmaZulu advanced to the Carling Knockout quarterfinals with a narrow 1-0 win over Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday. Substitute Hendrick Ekstein converted a 78th-minute penalty to decide the tense last-16 tie, joining Lamontville Golden Arrows in the next round. Golden Arrows, who sit 8th in the Premier Soccer League with 8 points from one win, five draws and two losses, will face AmaZulu in the league this Saturday.
Ekstein scored the only goal after Kruger United defender Tatenda Tavengwa handled the ball inside the area. The midfielder made no mistake from the spot.
Zwane's side defended resolutely despite limited possession, with goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela making a superb late save to deny Lesedi Kapinga an equaliser in stoppage time. The victory extends AmaZulu's positive run, having arrived at the fixture on the back of four consecutive league wins. Their last defeat was a 5-2 league loss to Mamelodi Sundowns back on August 26.
Kruger United, who had beaten Chippa United 1-0 in their previous match, started energetically but picked up two early yellow cards for Sipho Sibiya and Khetukuthula Ndlovu. They created several chances, particularly in the second half, but failed to find a finish. Coach Siyabonga Mthethwa lamented his team's lack of composure in the final third.
For Lamontville Golden Arrows, the result sets up a significant week. They travel to face this in-form AmaZulu side this Saturday in the Premier Soccer League. Arrows sit 8th in the league table with 8 points from 8 games, while their upcoming opponents are 3rd. Vusi Madonsela's men will be buoyed by their own recent 4-0 thrashing of Chippa United last Saturday, a result that featured goals from J. Dion, S. Sithole, N. Zwane and J. Karelse. That victory was part of a recent form of one win, two draws and one loss from their last four matches, which also included a 0-1 loss to Milford FC and a 0-0 draw with Kaizer Chiefs. In the league, they have scored 3 goals and conceded 4 this season, leaving them 15 points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Zwane reflected on a hard-fought cup win, admitting the heat in Nelspruit was a factor. He said coming to Kruger United was never going to be easy and that his team had chances to kill the game off in the first half. AmaZulu's next league fixture is that home game against Golden Arrows on Saturday 31 October. The quarterfinal draw for the Carling Knockout will be conducted on Monday evening.
Read the full report at Sowetan
