Casric Stars booked a Nedbank Cup semi-final spot after eliminating AmaZulu with a 2–1 victory at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Decide Chauke scored in extra time, a strike that secured the win for the visiting side after a 1–1 draw in regulation. Mfundo Thikazi had scored for Casric, while Hendrick Ekstein netted for Usuthu.
The second-tier side has knocked out two Betway Premiership clubs after stunning Orlando Pirates in the Round of 16.
Arthur Zwane made three changes to the starting line-up from their previous match. Gustavo Lopes made way for Sandile Mthethwa, Tebogo Mashigo replaced Thabiso Kutumela, and Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya came off for Athini Maqokolo. Meanwhile, Casric welcomed back key players Mfundo Thikazi, Lelethu Skelem, and Thabang Rakwena.
The Motsepe Foundation Championship side didn’t make much of a bright start, they found an early opener through Mfundo Thikazi after Lelethu Skelem set him up during a swift counter-attack.
Usuthu pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but the strong wind blowing against them at times disrupted their attacking moves. They continued to carve out a few chances but were still unable to find the breakthrough. The match went into half-time with the hosts trailing 1–0.
Usuthu came back stronger after the break and found the back of the net in the 49th minute, with Hendrick Ekstein finishing off a well-placed pass from Maqokolo inside the box.
Zwane’s troops continued to show attacking intent whenever they regained possession, pushing forward as Casric began to struggle against the wind, which was now in favour of the home side. In the 63rd minute, Mashigo squandered a golden chance in front of the goal, blasting the ball over the bar after taking too many touches.
Moments later, Casric began to build momentum, enjoying a spell of possession as they pushed play into AmaZulu’s half. With neither team able to find a winning goal, the match went into extra time.
In the 115th minute, Decide Chauke scored for Casric, sending them into the extra time in what an unexpected moment for AmaZulu was seemingly approaching penalty shootouts.
