AmaZulu FC were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Marumo Gallants in the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 match played at the Dr. Molemela Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
As a result, Usuthu were eliminated from the South African FA Cup after suffering a narrow defeat in Bloemfontein. Co-coaches Vumusuzi Vilakazi and Arthur Zwane will be keen to ensure that AmaZulu bounce back to winning ways when they face SuperSport United on 19 February in the Betway Premiership.
Siwelele Ba Marumo started the match brightly with Junior Zindoga looking to use his physicality to bully Usuthu’s defence. The Zimbabwean striker handed Gallants a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute after a brilliant solo run having outmuscled Ramahlwe Mphahlele.
AmaZulu upped the tempo towards the half-time break and they were able to test goalkeeper Washington Arubi. Tshepang Moremi’s powerful shot went straight into Arubi’s hands in the 39th minute and the score was 1-0 to Gallants during the half-time break.
Usuthu were the better side after the restart as they looked to level matters. Aruba was forced to make a save from Hendrick Esktein’s header in the 50th minute before the veteran keeper denied Moremi two minutes before the hour-mark.
Both teams searched for a late goal in the latter stages of the match. Rewaldo Prins came closest to scoring as the Namibia international hit the woodwork in the 85th minute and ultimately, the match ended in a 1-0 win in favour of Gallants.
Gallants (1) 1 (Zindonga 18′)
AmaZulu (0) 0
Gallants: Arubi, Chabatsane, Mahlatsi (Prins 63′), Nthetheni, Nemtajela, Msendami (Shai 90’+3), Sikhosana, Sithole (Mokobodi 63′), Khumalo, Manaka (Manaka 83′), Zindoga (Mabotja 90’+3).
AmaZulu: Ofori, Jooste, Fielies, Mphahlele, Hanamub, Motshwari (Ngema 78′), Zungu, Ekstein Mbanjwa 78′), Moremi, Kambindu, Human (Ighodaro 69′).
