AmaZulu fell short against Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals, losing 4-2 to the Soweto outfit at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening.
Usuthu did well to open the scoring through Hendrick Ekstein’s brilliant strike in the 30th minute, despite being forced into their own half for the majority of the opening minutes of the match.
Pirates equalised before the closing of the first half, as a controversial penalty call was given after Taariq Fielies brought down Makhehlene Makhaula in the box. The spot kick was scored by Patrick Maswanganyi as the teams went into the break all square.
The second half was also incredibly intense as both teams continued to attack each other on all fronts. Kabelo Dlamini would score for the Bucs in the 58th minute, but Usuthu kept up the fighting spirit.
Taariq Fielies would redeem himself later as he headed in from close range in the 63rd minute with the assistance of Riaan Hanamub’s well-executed free kick, making matters level once again in the quarter-final clash.
A lapse in concentration caused Usuthu to concede once again in the 82nd minute as Makhaula scored after getting onto a header from Monnapule Saleng, where he was left unmarked in the box.
AmaZulu continued to show grit in the fixture, but it was not to be as Pirates scored once again in the 93rd minute, doubling their lead as Maswanganyi completed his brace.
The result sees Usuthu bow out of the Nedbank Cup at the quarter-final hurdle.
AmaZulu (1) 1 (Ekstein 30’, Fielies 63’)
Orlando Pirates (1) 3 (Maswanganyi 45’ 90+3’, Dlamini 58’, Makhaula 82’)
AmaZulu: V. Mothwa, T. Sikhakhane, T. Fielies, R. Mphahlele, A. Mobara, R. Hanamub, T. Moremi (C. Ngema 79’), B. Motshwari (A. Chidi Kwem 87’), V. Letsoalo (J. Dion 68’), M. Mbanjwa (A. Mulenga 79’), H. Ekstein
Orlando Pirates: S. Chaine, D. Hotto, I. Maela, T. Sesane, T. Lebitso, M. Makhaula (N. Ndlondlo 87’), M. Timm (T. Mbatha 69’), R. Mofokeng (M. Saleng 78’), P. Maswanganyi, K. Dlamini (S. Mthethwa 87’), T. Mabasa
