Platinum Stars had to rely on three second-half goals to down a plucky AmaZulu 3-2 in a Nedbank Cup last-32 match played at the Moruleng Stadium near Rustenburg on Wednesday night.
The KwaZulu-Natal side gave the hosts much to think about in the first half and took the lead in the 35th minute when 19-year-old Ghanaian midfielder Samuel Darpoh sent in a low cross, which the Stars defenders failed to clear, and the ball ended up passing home team goalkeeper Mbongeni Mzimela.
Stars, still smarting after a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Uganda club Vipers in a CAF Confederation Cup match played in Kampala at the weekend, came out with renewed passion in the second half.
They were rewarded with a goal from the penalty spot in the 57th minute, scored by goalkeeper Mzimela, after experienced midfielder Vuyo Mere had been fouled inside the AmaZulu penalty area.
The equaliser seemed to further inspire the home side and midfielder Kobamelo Kodisang put in a quality run and pass to set up Malawian midfielder Robert Ng’ambi to put the Rustenburg club ahead in the 60th minute.
AmaZulu, whose last trophy at top-flight level was a Coca-Cola Cup triumph back in 1992, showed great character and midfielder Boysen Mbatha, another exciting young talent in the Usuthu ranks, stunned the home side by providing the equaliser in the 63rd minute.
With the match seemingly heading towards an additional 30 minutes of extra time, AmaZulu seemed to lose concentration and Stars’ experienced striker Henrico Botes rose to head home a cross from midfielder Ryan de Jongh to send them through to the last-16 phase of the lucrative competition
* Meanwhile at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, Chippa United ousted NFD side Witbank Spurs 1-0 to advance to the last-16.
Prolific striker Lerato Manzini netted the winner for the Chilli Boys in the 58th minute.