In a commanding display of provincial dominance, AmaZulu FC successfully clinched the 2026 KZN Premier’s Cup title this weekend, overcoming a spirited Milford FC side 2-0 in Sunday’s final at the Princess Magogo Stadium.
The two-day tournament serves as a vital pre-season showcase featuring KwaZulu-Natal’s five top-flight clubs and Midlands Wanderers, served as a crucial barometer for squads preparing for the upcoming 2026/27 Betway Premiership season.
Day 1
The tournament kicked off on Saturday at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont. Usuthu immediately signalled their intent to bounce back from the previous weekend defeat to Ulundi United in the Legacy Cup with a clinical 2-0 victory over Midlands Wanderers.
It was a match of tactical discipline and moments of individual brilliance. Mlondi Mbanjwa opened the scoring for Usuthu after capitalising on a defensive lapse by the Wanderers, with the referee ruling that his effort had crossed the goal line. Usuthu doubled their lead when Midlands goalkeeper Ali Mwirusi mishandled a clearance, allowing Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya to round the keeper and slot into an empty net.
Despite the win, the day was not without its hurdles for the Durban giants. Mbanjwa turned from hero to villain after receiving a red card for a reckless challenge on Jabulani Mokone. However, even with ten men, AmaZulu remained in control, nearly extending their lead late in the match through Nkosikhona Radebe. The victory ensured their progression to the Sunday final at the Princess Magogo Stadium.
Day 2: The Final Showdown
Sunday’s decider pitted AmaZulu against a resilient Milford FC, who had secured their spot in the final after a notable semi-final victory over Golden Arrows.
The atmosphere in KwaMashu was electric, with capacity supporters packing the stadium to witness the climax of the provincial tournament. While Milford FC looked to cause an upset and prove their readiness for their debut Premiership campaign, they were ultimately undone by the composure and experience of Arthur Zwane’s side.
Usuthu’s disciplined structure proved too much for the newcomers to break down. By capitalising on key transitions and maintaining defensive solidity, Usuthu secured a 2-0 victory, firmly cementing their status as the benchmark for KZN football.
Beyond the silverware, Amazulu assistant coach Sibonelo Vilakazi said the win served as the right tool to equip his charges for the new season ahead
“We don’t have a friendly game when we play, we take every game seriously, we want to install that winning mentality and assess how far we’ve come” said coach Vilakazi. Usuthu will hope the victory serves as the perfect springboard for their league opener away to Stellenbosch on August 1.