Marumo Gallants advanced to the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over AmaZulu on Saturday afternoon.
Nedbank Cup
Result: Marumo Gallants 1-0 AmaZulu
Date: 15 February 2025
Venue: Dr. Molemela Stadium
The visitors were unchanged from their last match, as Gallants had Siyabulela Shai, Gabadinho Mhango and match-winner against Pretoria Callies Monde Mphambaniso on the bench.
Marumo broke ahead well in the earlier stages when Junior Zindonga came in on the blind side of the area and cut inside to beat Richard Ofori from a tight angle.
Usuthu lacked rhythm all-round as the likes of Rowan Human, Wayde Jooste, Ben Motshwari who were the chief destroyers over Gallants in the league a week ago failed to show up.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa nearly added after the half-hour mark through a ferocious shot from 30-yards by Sekela Sithole, but Ofori pushed across and palmed.
AmaZulu remained buoyant minutes in the second half and threatened when Moremi ran from midfield to get goal-sight, but failed to beat Washington Arubi.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa made a double change later on as Thapelo Mokobodi replaced Sithole before withdrawing Kamohelo Mahlatsi for Rewaldo Prins.
It could've been two very late on when a loose ball allowed Daniel Msendami to take aim with complete prowess, but Ofori wouldn't have any of it.
Youngster Prins should've gone on the scoring board with a teasing shot from an acute angle, but he found the woodwork.
Usuthu's struggled to light up nor unsettle the host thus succumbed to defeat, as Gallants avenged the league defeat suffered a week ago.
Here's how they lined up:
Marumo Gallants: To be confirmed.
AmaZulu: Ofori, Jooste, Fielies, Mphahlele, Hanamub, Motshwari, Zungu, Ekstein, Moremi, Kambindu, Human
Subs: Mothwa, Gumede, Mthethwa, Ngobeni, Radebe, Ngema, Mbanjwa, Sithole, Ighodaro
