ABC Motsepe side Dondol Stars defeated AmaZulu FC 5-4 on penalties in the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup after both sides were not separated in 120 minutes.
The Nedbank Cup is a cup of dreams, and the Dondol Stars dream still lives on as they continue to be giant slayers. The Mamelodi-based side had eliminated SuperSport United in the last 32 before bringing down yet another Dstv Premiership giant in the last 16.
Hendrik Ekstein slotted the opener for Usuthu in the 53rd minute before Dondol Stars defender, Revaldo Fox, found himself unmarked in the back post to slot in an equalizer past Jody February.
AmaZulu missed plenty of chances during the match and made light of all their work in the opening half. Dondol Stars increased in confidence, and began to match the Durban side in all departments. Dondol Stars showed no fear and no pressure at the FNB stadium to perform as they controlled the ball throughout the match showing signs of being fearless.
It is not the first time AmaZulu were eliminated by a lower divisions side at this stage of the competition. In 2013, Eastern Cape side Tembu Royals beat Usuthu 2-1 (in the Nedbank Cup) at the King Zwelithini stadium in uMlaza.
Usuthu extended Romain Folz’s contract last month following what the club president Sandile Zungu, satisfactory performance. Folz have managed to win only 4 games in South African football since his arrival at the beginning of the season. He also led AmaZulu to their first cup final since 2010 where they succumbed to a 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates in the MTN 8 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The defeat to Dondol Stars left AmaZulu fans angry on social media with some threatening not to support the team until Folz is removed.
Next AmaZulu match will be against Stellenbosch FC in Western Cape on the 17th of March.
𝐆𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐒𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑𝐒
— Nedbank Sport (@nedbanksport) March 8, 2023
Who's next on the Dondol Stars upset list? 👀 #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/enVB8NJ7hj
