CLERMONT – North Coast amateurs KwaDukuza United enjoyed the sweet taste of success when they upset PSL club Ajax Cape Town on penalties to reach the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup.
The side from the sugar farming town of KwaDukuza stretched their professional rivals through normal time with two come-from-behind goals, enjoyed some luck to see off extra time, and then held their nerve to win 4-3 on penalties at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont on Saturday.
Ajax went ahead in the second minute when striker Prince Nxumalo announced his visit to his home province with a simple header from a corner kick.
Such an early goal failed to translate into dominance, and the home team fought back to equalise with their own set piece manoeuvre.
Striker Lungelo Zondi nodded in a free kick from Khulekani Ndlela for the 15th-minute leveller.
With better composure, Zondi might have given United the lead when, with only goalkeeper Brandon Petersen to beat, he dragged his shot wide in the 25th minute.
Ajax’s professional pedigree saw them enjoy more possession and time on the ball.
However, with nine changes to the team that held Supersport United 0-0 in their last outing, this Urban Warriors line-up lacked overall sharpness.
Then too, it boasted a fair amount of experience in the form of Bafana Bafana cap Nxumalo, Zimbabwe international defender Erick Chipeta, veteran utility player Erwin Isaacs and Ghanaian defender Lawrence Lartey.
The names meant little to KwaDukuza, who were out to make their own mark in South African football. Playing at this national level for the first time, they played as well as befitting their status as a third-tier club.
The home side contained Ajax comfortably enough for the remainder of the first half. At the back, central defender Lizu Mthabela kept things reasonably tidy, and in attack, Khulekani Ndlela ensured that they enjoyed a few half-chances.
After the interval, Ajax again dominated and Nxumalo fired a shot for his second goal in the 65th minute.
But as in the first half, they allowed the home team back into the game. Ndlela found space on the left and rode two tackles before thundering the ball into the roof of the net four minutes later.
It called for more firepower from Ajax. Coach Stanley Menzo sent on veteran forward Nathan Paulse, and his aerial presence worked a treat and the chances fell for Nxumalo to secure a hat trick.
The amateurs enjoyed a let-off when referee Bafana Mosia failed to send off Nzuzo Luthuli for pulling back Nxumalo and denying him a one-on-one scoring chance against goalkeeper Nimrode Tsengwa.
Extra time arrived and the rookies showed good stamina to keep up with the pace set by the Cape opponents. Ajax continued to dominate, but lacked a cutting edge in attack.
They were lucky KwaDukuza also failed to connect up front. Midway through the second half of extra time, Zondi returned the favour for his goal by supplying a perfect cross to Ndlela, but the midfielder headed wide.
Penalties settled it, where surprisingly Nxumalo missed the fourth kick to leave Thapelo Aphane with the honour of finishing the shoot-out 4-3 in favour of his team.