UMLAZI – AmaZulu kept their unbeaten record at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi with a big scalp of Cape Town City on Tuesday night as they advanced into the quarterfinals of the Telkom Knockout with a 2-0 victory.
City joins Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Maritzburg United, Baroka and Free State Stars who have all failed to emerge victoriously at King Zwelithini.
Cape Town City were the victims tonight as Usuthu came back from the interval invigorated and determined to showcase that they are the kings of the King Zwelithini Stadium.
Usuthu will now face Orlando Pirates in the quarterfinals at home. The Premier Soccer League will announce the venues for the quarterfinals in due course.
Meanwhile, the venue for the final has been announced which will be at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on the 8th of December.
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has been Cape Town City's happy hunting ground this season.
They started their route to the MTN8 final with a 1-0 victory against the Maritzburg United at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg before lifting the cup at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
The Citizens came back to claim the point at Harry Gwala Stadium in a 0-0 stalemate in the league but they stumbled in Umlazi tonight as Usuthu did what they do best in their own backyard.
Gift Links of Cape Town City FC is challenged by Ovidy Karuru of AmaZulu FC at King Zwelithini Stadium on Tuesday night. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix
A relatively young club, City have built their reputation as ‘cup specialists’ so far but they fell short tonight.
Both teams didn't create genuine opportunities to open the deadlock in the first half.
The only moment that lightened up the first stanza was when Gift Links tormented Mbongeni Gumede with a lovely shibobo which led to the Usuthu's captain receiving a yellow card.
Usuthu showed intent after the interval as they made more box entries in their quest to break the deadlock.
The goal finally came for Usuthu as Emiliano Tade showed composure in the box to put his side in the lead. Four minutes later, Bongi Ntuli doubled the lead for Usuthu and it was game over for City.
Emiliano Tade celebrates his goal at King Zwelithini Stadium. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix
Lack of communication between City's goal-minder, Sage Stephens and Kwanda Mngonyama led to the second goal for Usuthu.
These two sides will square off against on Saturday at Cape Town Stadium in an Absa Premiership tussle at 8.15pm.
City will be seeking revenge while Usuthu will be looking for that elusive victory away from home. They have been dismal away from home this season, having succumbed to defeats against SuperSport United, Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits.
City is also struggling in the league and they will be eager to improve their log standing. Coach Benni Mccarthy’s Citizens are 14th on the log with seven points after eight matches, while Usuthu is languishing at the bottom of the table.
Results from Umlazi:
AmaZulu (0) 2
Emiliano Tade, Bongi Ntuli
Cape Town City (0) 0
The draw for the Telkom Knockout quarterfinals was made following the match:
Maritzburg United v Bidvest Wits
Kaizer Chiefs v SuperSport United
Baroka FC v Mamelodi Sundowns
AmaZulu v Orlando Pirates