Durban City edge Casric Stars to seal Nedbank Cup final berth

Durban City secured their spot in the Nedbank Cup final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a resilient Casric Stars at Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

In a match defined by high stakes and defensive intensity, an early misfortune for the Motsepe Foundation Championship side proved to be the difference. Casric Stars, who have been the tournament’s “giant-killers” following their elimination of Orlando Pirates, saw their fairytale run come to a heartbreaking end in KwaZulu-Natal.

EARLY DISASTER FOR CASRIC STARS IN THE NEDBANK CUP SEMIS

The game was turned on its head as early as the 6th minute. Under pressure from the Durban City frontline, Casric defender Sphamandla Mlilo inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, gifting the Betway Premiership side a 1-0 lead.

Despite the early setback, Casric did not crumble. Coach Bucs Mthombeni’s men fought back bravely, with Decide Chauke and Siphosethu Meveni causing problems for the City defence. Meveni came close in the 14th minute with a stinging right-footed free kick that whistled just past Darren Keet’s upright.

The first half was a stop-start affair characterised by a physical midfield battle. Durban City’s Thabo Nodada and Haashim Domingo were frequently penalised as they sought to disrupt Casric’s rhythm.

Stars had a golden opportunity to level matters just before the break. In a chaotic sequence during stoppage time, shots from Lifa Makua and Chauke were heroically blocked by the City backline, ensuring the hosts went into the interval with their slender lead intact.

SECOND HALF: THE DARREN KEET SHOW FOR DURBAN CITY

Durban City began the second half looking to kill off the game. Jean Lwamba forced a save from Tshigwana Mthombeni in the 46th minute, but as the half progressed, it was Casric who turned up the heat.

Coach Mthombeni introduced Simon Moukete and Thuso Mogale on the hour mark, and the impact was immediate. In the 67th minute, Darren Keet had to be at his best to deny Meveni from close range after a slick interchange with Moukete.

Casric’s best chance for an equaliser fell to Chauke in the 71st minute, but his header from a Thabang Rakwena cross missed the target by inches.

The closing stages were marred by injuries, with goal-scorer-turned-defender Sphamandla Mlilo forced off in the 91st minute, replaced by Tlhalefang Kgabane.

Durban City utilised all their top-flight experience to wind down the clock, surviving a late barrage of set-pieces from the visitors. Despite four minutes of added time and relentless pressure from the Mpumalanga side, the Durban City defence, led by the veteran Keet, held firm to book their place in the showpiece final.

Durban City will now await the winner of the second semi-final between TS Galaxy and Milford FC to determine who they will face for the “Ke Yona” trophy.