AmaZulu FC were narrowly beaten 3-2 by TS Galaxy in a Carling Knockout semi-final encounter which took place at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Therefore, Usuthu were eliminated from the cup competition and they will now lock horns with Mamelodi Sundowns in a DStv Premiership encounter at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on December 6.
The Rockets attacked the Usuthu defence with speed down the centre and through the wings from the first whistle. They took an early lead when Bradley Mojela outpaced Ramahlwe Mphahlele before scoring to hand Galaxy a 1-0 lead just two minutes into the game.
Coach Sead Ramovic’s side continued to attack and they doubled their lead in the 26th minute after goalkeeper Veli Mothwa was adjudged to have fouled the pacey Mojela in the box. Higor Vidal stepped up and beat Mothwa to double Galaxy’s lead the visitors were 2-0 up at half-time.
Augustine Chidi Kwem, Tshepang Moremi and Taariq Fielies were all introduced by AmaZulu head coach Pablo Franco Martin before the start of the second-half. Kwem did make an impact in the 76th minute when he netted from close range to make it 2-1.
The hosts then pushed for a late equalising goal to at least take the game to extra-time, but they were left vulnerable at the back which saw Galaxy extend their lead in stoppage time. Samir Nurkovic hit the back of the net with his weaker left foot to make it 3-1 to the visitors.
However, the Rockets went to sleep at the back and they conceded when Sere Junior Dion’s hard and low shot beat keeper Fiacre Ntwari to make it 3-2. The goal proved to be a mere consolation for AmaZulu as Galaxy held on to claim a 3-2 victory on the day.
AmaZulu (0) 2 (Kwem 76′, Dion 90’+4)
Galaxy (2) 3 (Mojela 2′, Vidal 26′, Nurkovic 90’+3)
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Jooste (Fielies 46′), Mphahlele (Human 46′), Gumede, Hanamub, Mobara, Brooks (Letsoalo 90’+1), Mbanjwa (Moremi 46′), Ekstein (Kwem 46′), Ngema, Dion.
Galaxy: Ntwari, Munyai (Rakwena 57′ Mbatha 84′), Sanoka, Mahlangu, Letsoenyo, Mvelase, Khiba, Vidal (Nurkovic 57′), Sebelebele, Mojela (Seema 90′), Mahlangu (Radebe 84′).
