Motsepe Foundation Championship side Casric Stars have caused a major upset after defeating AmaZulu FC 2-1 in the quarter-final of the Nedbank Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, while Sekhukhune United fell short against Milford FC.
Casric dumped AmaZulu out of the Nedbank Cup with a hard-fought victory in extra-time to advance to the semi-final, becoming the first team to book a place in the last four of the competition.
The Mpumalanga-based side is continuing its status as a giant slayer, having knocked Orlando Pirates out of the Nedbank Cup a few weeks ago. During the match against AmaZulu, Casric imposed themselves, playing with intent and a fearless mentality.
The NFD team opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a goal from Mfundo Thikazi to unsettle the home side early in the first half. Casric Stars proved to be compact at the back, preventing AmaZulu from finding the net as they went into the half-time break leading 1-0.
Usuthu shifted the gears in the second stanza to bring the scoreline back to level terms with a goal from the highly-rated attacker Pule Ekstein. The match finished in 90 minutes, deadlocked at 1-1, resulting in extra time.
CASRIC SECURE A PLACE IN THE NEDBANK CUP SEMI-FINALS
Casric Stars dealt AmaZulu a knockout blow, scoring an all-important goal in extra time to book a place in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals. With the “big guns”—Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, and Orlando Pirates—already eliminated, the trophy is now there for the taking.
In another fixture on Saturday featuring a Betway Premiership side against an NFD opponent, Sekhukhune United hosted Milford FC at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Sekhukhune United became the latest top-flight team to crash out of the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals after suffering a disappointing defeat on penalties against Milford.
Milford forced Babina Noko into extra time after a 1-1 draw in regulation. The KZN-based side drew first blood in the 2nd minute to take an early lead, but Sekhukhune equalised to leave the match deadlocked at the end of 90 minutes.
The Limpopo-based outfit looked to have secured the win in the second half of extra time after Olerato Mandi netted a second goal. However, with only minutes remaining, Milford struck a late equaliser to force a penalty shootout.
Milford eventually claimed a 3-2 win on penalties to join fellow second-division side Casric Stars in the semi-finals.
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