AmaZulu advanced to the semi-finals of the MTN8 after defeating Cape Town City 2-1 in extra-time on Saturday afternoon.
MTN8
Result: Cape Town City 1-2 AmaZulu
Date: 27 August 2022
Venue: Athlone Stadium
Usuthu made three changes from their defeat to Golden Arrows, as Bonginkosi Ntuli, Keagan Buchanan and Abbubaker Mobara were recalled while City were unchanged from their win over Kaizer Chiefs.
The visitors had a dream start after Augustine Kwem gave them the lead on ten minutes with a good turn and finish from a through ball by Gabadinho Mhango, who took possession off Thamsanqa Mkhize.
The Citizens looked to get back into the game through the wide channels operated by Darwin Gonzalez and Khanyisa Mayo, with the former going close to breaking the deadlock just after the half-hour mark after a cut-back by Thamsanqa Mkhize, whose pass was cleared by Thembela Sikhakhane.
Eric Tinkler's charges increased the intensity of their attacks towards the end of the first stanza as Mayo had a big chance after a through ball by Taahir Goedeman found him unmarked in the box but his curling shot missed the top corner by a whisker.
Mayo eventually levelled matters for City on the stroke of halftime with a first-time volley in the six-yard box after a lobbed pass over the defence by Wayde Lekay.
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Tinkler's men remained on the front foot from the half-time break and Mayo came close to giving them the lead around the hour-mark with a cross-cum-shot that caught goalkeeper Veli Mothwa off his line but missed slightly over the crossbar.
AmaZulu only got into the game after that from a counter-attack, as they had a penalty appeal after Mkhize's outstretched arm touched Mhango's chipped ball in the box but the referee was not persuaded.
As the game opened up, Brandon Truter made an attacking change in the last 20 minutes as Dumisani Zuma replaced Ntuli and in the same moment City refreshed their midfield as Mduduzi Mdantsane took the place of Goedeman.
City squandered a couple of opportunities to net the winner in the closing stages and Usuthu, playing on counter-attacks nearly stole victory in the dying minutes after Kwem had a another slick turn in the box but his thumping shot was brilliantly saved by shot-stopper Darren Keet, sending the game to extra-time.
It took some time before the game got to life again as Kajally Drammeh had the best chance for City on 15 minutes of extra-time in the box but fired his shot just wide after a cross by Gonzalez.
The game opened up in the second period of extra-time as Lehlohonolo Majoro got the winning goal for AmaZulu in the last seven minutes with a tap-in at the back post after Keet saved Mhango's shot.
Here's how they lined up:
Cape Town City: Keet, Mkhize, Fasika, Fielies, Mashego, Mokeke, Goedeman, Ambina, Mayo, Darwin, Lekay
Subs: Mpandle, Cupido, Mdantsane, Martin, Makola, Nodada, Bender, Van Heerden, Kajally
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Sikhakhane, Hanamub, Gumede, Mobara, Buchanan, Makhaula, Maluleka, Kwem, Mhango, Ntuli
Subs: Amonome, Khumalo, Zulu, Mphahlele, Brooks, Magaqa, Zuma, Munda, Majoro
