On Wednesday night, Dondol Stars pulled off a remarkable upset in the Nedbank Cup, defeating top-flight side AmaZulu on penalties after a 1-1 draw after extra-time.
Usuthu, who beat Chippa United in the league, made several changes to their side, with goalkeeper Jody February starting his second game in the tournament.
Gabadinho Mhango had the first big chance of the game midway through the first half, as he rattled the base of the near post.
Hendrick Ekstein also went close on goal moments later, chipping a shot over goalkeeper Sphamandla Gumede, but his effort missed the gaping net.
Tebogo Makungo then came close for Dondol Stars with ten minutes left of the first stanza, as he fired a diagonal strike that zipped past the bottom corner.
Ekstein broke the deadlock nine minutes into the second stanza with a side-footed shot from close range after a square pass from Rally Bwalya.
However, the Tshwane side had a fight in them and Revaldo Fox quickly levelled matters six minutes later with a low strike at the back post.
AmaZulu had the enduring legs late on and Mhango came close to snatching the equaliser two minutes before time with a low drive at the near post but Gumede made a great reflex save.
Mhango had another chance to avoid extra-time for Romain Folz’s charges with a well executed free-kick from the edge of the box in stoppages that was destined for the top corner but Gumede pulled off another superb save.
Usuthu had to play the last five minutes of extra-time a man short after Keagan Buchanan got a second yellow card for remonstrating.
However, there were tired legs from both ends in the dying minutes and there were not clear-cut chances as a penalty shoot-out ensued, with Dondol converting all five of their spot-kicks after Usuthu’s Mhango saw his penalty saved.
Dondol Stars’ remarkable victory in the Nedbank Cup will be one to remember for some time, as they eliminated a top-flight side in AmaZulu on penalties.
