Usuthu extend unbeaten run with disciplined defensive display

AmaZulu advanced to the quarterfinals of the Carling Knockout following their 1-0 win over Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.

Substitute Hendrick Ekstein scored the match’s only goal in the second half, helping his side reach the last eight and join Golden Arrows and Siwelele in the quarterfinals.

Usuthu came into this fixture off a good run of four consecutive league wins and looked to translate that to cup competitions, and they did.

They last suffered a defeat on August 26, when they lost 5-2 to Mamelodi Sundowns in a league match in Pretoria, and they will hope to go deep in this competition given their impressive form.

Kruger, on the other hand, were eager to build on their 1-0 win over Chippa United in their last match and register successive wins for the first time in their debut season, but it was not to be.

The hosts started better and had few chances to break the deadlock but failed to convert. Usuthu also had chances to open the scoring but couldn’t convert.

The Village Boys finished the first half stronger as they continued to search for the opening goal. AmaZulu gave them possession while they waited for a counterattack, and it nearly paid off in one transition.

Kruger continued to dominate in the second half and had chances to score but couldn’t convert, while AmaZulu struggled to create as many chances as they did in the first half.

Despite limited possession, AmaZulu opened the scoring through Ekstein from a spot kick in the 78th minute after Kruger’s Tatenda Tavengwa handled the ball inside the penalty area.

Ekstein made no mistake from the spot kick, slotting home to give his side a lead.

The hosts threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, and Lesedi Kapinga came close in the dying minutes, but his shot outside the box was tipped for a corner kick by Usuthu keeper Olwethu Mzimela.

AmaZulu defended well to win, and Kruger coach Abram Mongoya will be happy with how his side performed despite the defeat.