PSL

Stars Dump Usuthu Out

4 Oct 5, 2013 - 05:06 pm

By Diogo Peral

Telkom Knockout

Result: FS Stars 2-0 AmaZulu

Date: 5 Oct 2013

Venue: Goble Park

The unpredictable Free State Stars made the most of home advantage as they dumped AmaZulu out of the Telkom Knockout with a 2-0 win at Goble Park on Saturday.

Things were slightly scrappy at the start of the game but the hosts would enjoy two chances in the sixth ninth minute with Danny Venter having a shot blocked before Basit Adam's header missed the target moments later.

Sadate Ouro-Akoriko wasted a free-kick in a good area three minutes later while Marc van Heerden whipped in a dangerous cross in the 19th minute which Stars did well to clear.

Katlego Mashego's shot from distance sailed over the crossbar in the 24th minute before Van Heerden achieved the same feat on the half-hour mark.

Camaldine Abraw had the final chance of the half but his volley was well blocked by Tapuwa Kapini as the deadlock remained at the break.

Reuben Thebakang missed a chance in the 49th minute before Mashego caused havoc for the AmaZulu defenders only to be denied twice by Kapini.

The opening goal would finally come in the 63rd minute when Danny Venter fired home from inside the area, forcing AmaZulu to chase the game.

Usuthu responded with Goodman Dlamini firing just over the crossbar before another superb cross from Van Heerden came off Dlamini's chest and over.

Stars were struggling to prevent Van Heerden from doing his jon on the flank as Bongani Ndulula sent a header wayward while he saw another attempt hit the crossbar with nine minutes to go.

Those misses would then be punished when Adam turned his marker in the 85th before slapping his shot past the goalkeeper to confirm the result.

Goodman Dlamini had a late chance to score but he fired wide in stoppage time as Stars secured their place in the last eight.

FS Stars: Daniel Agyei, Enva Wiltwer, Soriola Gege, Sadate Ouro-Akoriko, Reuben Thebakang, Katlego Mashego, Sibusiso Mthethwa, Paulus Masehe, Danny Venter, Camaldine Abraw, Basit Adam.

AmaZulu: Tapuwa Kapini, Larry Horaeb, Carlington Nyadombo, Tamsanqa Teyise, Marc van Heerden, Ayanda Dlamini, Khulegani Madondo, Goodman Dlamini, Nkosinathi Mthiyane, Njabulo Manqana, Bongani Ndulula.