DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – The “Magic of the Cup” was alive and well at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon, as Motsepe Foundation Championship side Casric Stars continued their fairy-tale journey, knocking out Betway Premiership giants AmaZulu FC with a gritty 2-1 victory after extra time.
Having already claimed the scalp of Orlando Pirates in the previous round, the Mpumalanga-based side proved their “giant-killer” tag is no fluke, securing a historic spot in the Nedbank Cup Semi-Finals.
Early Shock for Usuthu
Casric Stars wasted no time asserting themselves. In the 12th minute, a swift counter-attacking move saw Leletu Skelem find an unmarked Mfundo Thikazi, who composed himself before curling a beautiful effort into the bottom corner.
The early goal stunned the home crowd, leaving Arthur Zwane’s men scrambling for a response. AmaZulu’s frustrations were compounded in the 33rd minute when starting goalkeeper Darren Johnson was forced off with an injury, replaced by the veteran Richard Ofori.
Ekstein Ignites the Comeback
AmaZulu came out for the second half with renewed energy. Their persistence paid off in the 48th minute when Hendrick “Pule” Ekstein latched onto a precise cutback from Athini Maqokolo, slotting the ball past Stars’ keeper Wandile Mthombeni to level the scores at 1-1.
Despite several late chances for both sides—including a Casric goal ruled out for offside in the 81st minute—the match remained deadlocked at the end of regulation time, forcing the contest into an additional 30 minutes.
The Extra-Time Hero
As fatigue set in during the second half of extra time, Casric Stars delivered the decisive blow. In the 115th minute, substitute Decide Chauke became the hero of the day. Receiving the ball on the far side, Chauke unleashed a low drive that struck the foot of the post before nestling in the back of the net.
The goal sparked wild celebrations from the Casric bench, as they successfully fended off a desperate late surge from AmaZulu to seal the 2-1 win.
What’s Next?
Casric Stars are the first team to secure their place in the 2026 Nedbank Cup Semi-Finals. With their confidence soaring, the “Believers” are now just one step away from a dream final.
For AmaZulu, the defeat marks a disappointing end to their cup ambitions, leaving Coach Arthur Zwane to focus solely on improving their league standing for the remainder of the season.
Match Summary:
- Score: AmaZulu 1 – 2 Casric Stars (AET)
- Scorers: M. Thikazi (12′), H. Ekstein (48′), D. Chauke (115′)
- Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
- Man of the Match: Wandile Mthombeni (Casric Stars)
