GIANT SLAYERS: Casric Stars Stun AmaZulu in Extra-Time Thriller

Casric Stars have proved once again that they are the ultimate “Giant Slayers” of the 2026 Nedbank Cup. After famously knocking out Orlando Pirates, the Motsepe Foundation Championship side travelled to the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday to claim another high-profile scalp, defeating AmaZulu FC 2-1 after a gruelling 120 minutes of football.

First Half: Stars Strike Early

The visitors started with intent, needing only 12 minutes to break the deadlock. Following a clinical fast break, Leletu Skelem turned provider, feeding Mfundo Thikazi in the centre of the box. Thikazi made no mistake, slotting a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner to silence the Durban crowd.

AmaZulu’s woes were compounded in the 34th minute when goalkeeper Darren Johnson was forced off due to injury, replaced by the veteran Richard Ofori. Despite the setback, Usuthu pushed for an equaliser before the break but found Tshigwana Mthombeni in inspired form between the sticks for Stars.

Second Half: Ekstein Ignites the Comeback In Nedbank Cup

AmaZulu emerged from the tunnel with renewed vigour and took just four minutes to level the scoring. Athini Maqokola led a blistering counter-attack, squaring the ball for Hendrick Ekstein, who fired a right-footed shot into the roof of the net to make it 1-1.

The second half turned into a tactical chess match, with both sides making multiple substitutions. Bongani Zungu was eventually introduced for AmaZulu to stabilise the midfield, while Casric Stars brought on Decide Chauke—a move that would prove to be the masterstroke of the afternoon.

Extra Time: Chauke Seals the Drama in Nedbank Cup

With the scores level after 90 minutes, the match headed into a tense period of extra time. The drama intensified in the 102nd minute when AmaZulu keeper Richard Ofori was shown a yellow card for a handball outside the area, gifting Stars a dangerous set-piece that they narrowly failed to convert.

The breakthrough finally came in the 115th minute. Lifa Makua, who had been a thorn in AmaZulu’s side all afternoon, found Decide Chauke in the centre of the box. Chauke kept his composure to drill a right-footed shot past Ofori, sending the Casric Stars bench into delirium.

AmaZulu threw everything forward in the final minutes, with Andiswa Sithole seeing a header blocked and Riaan Hanamub missing a desperate long-range effort in the 121st minute, but it wasn’t to be for the home side.

The final whistle sparked wild celebrations for Casric Stars, who continue their fairytale run in the competition. For AmaZulu, it is a bitter pill to swallow as their Nedbank Cup dreams end at the hands of lower-league opposition, who booked a spot in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals.