Defending champions Stellenbosch FC progressed to the next round of the Carling Knockout after defeating AmaZulu 2-1 in extra-time on Friday night.
Carling Knockout
Result: AmaZulu 1-2 Stellenbosch FC
Date: 18 October 2024
Venue: King Zwelithini Stadium
AmaZulu made four changes as they handed new signing, goalkeeper Richard Ofori his debut alongside recalls for Mbongeni Gumede, Rowan Human and Junior Dion. Stellies, similarly, made four alterations, as Ashley Cupido, Chumani Butsaka, Sanele Barns and Kyle Jurgens.
Steve Barker's charges had a quick start as they started to threaten through the likes of Butsaka and Cupido but Ofori was alert in front of goal.
Devon Titus eventually broke the deadlock for the visitors on 24 minutes with a strike in the box after he was setup by Andre de Jong.
Stellies gained momentum as ten minutes before the interval Barns had a chance to double their lead but his shot in the box was smothered by Ofori.
Usuthu struggled to combine going forward as Barker's men still had the upper hand towards the interval and just before the break Cupido also had an opportunity for the visitors on the edge of the box fired his shot over the crossbar.
Usuthu were a different side from the break as eight minutes later Tshepang Moremi levelled matters with a strike into the bottom corner.
As the game opened up, Titus had a big chance to restore the lead for Stellies just before the hour-mark with a close-range effort that was kept out by Ofori.
Adams nearly gave Barker's men the lead moments later with a close-range header that was saved by Ofori after a cross by Fawaaz Basadien.
It was anybody's game in the dying minutes and the visitors continued to look dangerous, as Basadien forced Ofori into another crucial save and the game had to go to extra-time after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Barker's men were on the front foot early in extra-time, as seven into it, De Jong eventually made it 2-1 with a close-range header after a cross by Barns.
Arthur Zwane and Vusumuzi Vilakazi's troops were fired up and on 18 minutes of extra-time, Hendrick Ekstein had a big chance after a cross found him unmarked in the box but his acrobatic volley was drew a reflex save from shot-stopper Sage Stephens.
Stellies dropped deep in their own half and moments later Etiosa Ighodaro almost levelled matters for Usuthu with a towering header in the box that stretched Stephens to keep it out at the bottom corner.
Abbubaker Mobara also got close to forcing the game to extra-time in the last minute for AmaZulu with a powerful strike from range that was saved by Stephens, as the Cape Winelands outfit held on and booked a spot in the quarter-finals.
Here's how they line up:
AmaZulu: Ofori, Sikhakhane, Hanamub, Gumede, Fielies, Mobara, Brooks, Human, Dion, Moremi, Mbanjwa
Subs: Mothwa, Ngobeni, Mngonyama, Jooste, Ekstein, Kunene, Sithole, Ighodaro, Ndlovu
Stellenbosch FC: Stephens, Mcaba, Toure, Mdaka, Jurgens, Barns, Nduli, Cupido, Titus, De Jong, Butsaka
Subs: Masuluke, Basadien, De Kock, Adams, Onyango, Palace, Jabaar, Lekoloane, Mini
