The fairytale run of Casric Stars in the Nedbank Cup continued on a windy Saturday afternoon after the Motsepe Foundation Championship side stunned top-flight outfit AmaZulu FC with a dramatic 2–1 victory after extra-time at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Known as “The Believers”, Casric Stars once again proved that the magic of the Ke Yona Cup is alive and well as they produced another giant-killing performance to secure a historic place in the semi-finals.
The lower-division side began the match with confidence and showed little fear against their Betway Premiership opponents. Their bravery was rewarded when Mfundo Thikazi found the breakthrough, giving the underdogs a deserved lead and sending the travelling supporters into celebration.
AmaZulu, however, responded through experienced midfielder Hendrik Ekstein, who drew Usuthu level and ensured the contest would go beyond regulation time after neither side could find a winner in the 90 minutes.
With the wind swirling around Moses Mabhida Stadium and tension building, extra-time eventually produced the decisive moment. Decide Chauke emerged as the hero for Casric Stars, scoring the crucial goal that sealed a memorable victory for the Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit.
The result continues a remarkable cup journey for the KwaMhlanga-based side under head coach Bucks Mthombeni, who has now guided his team past top-flight opposition on their way to the last four.
Their giant-killing run already included a famous victory over Orlando Pirates in the Last 16, making AmaZulu the second Betway Premiership side to fall to the determined lower-division club.
The defeat also adds pressure on AmaZulu head coach Arthur Zwane, who becomes the latest high-profile victim of Casric Stars’ impressive cup run.
For the side currently sitting fourth in the Motsepe Foundation Championship standings, the dream remains very much alive. From battling in the second tier to now standing among the final four teams in the country’s premier knockout competition, Casric Stars’ journey has become one of the standout stories of this year’s Nedbank Cup.
With belief growing and momentum firmly on their side, the underdogs will now look ahead to the semi-finals, hoping their remarkable journey can stretch even further.
