AmaZulu FC have joined Golden Arrows and Siwelele FC in the quarterfinals of the Carling Knockout after they defeated Kruger United 1-0 at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Usuthu claimed the victory thanks to a late penalty from substitute Hendrick Ekstein, edging the game against a Village Boys team that played some fine football but lacked a cutting edge in attack to capitalise on their dominance.
#CarlingKnockoutCup - RESULT: @AmaZuluFootball get the job done in Mbombela to book a spot in the last eight. https://t.co/gmVQAsDl3x
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) October 25, 2026
Kruger were lucky not to be down to 10 men inside the opening minutes, with defender Sipho Sibiya – already on an early yellow card – upending Athini Maqokola with a reckless challenge, but he was shown mercy by the referee.
AmaZulu went on to have two great chances to claim the lead before the quarter-hour mark, with Mondli Mbanjwa first seeing a header turned away at close range by Kruger goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou, before Maqokola shot over the target after great work from Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya down the left flank.
Kruger gradually began to exert more attacking pressure as the half wore on, but they were unable to truly test AmaZulu goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela, leaving the game goalless at the interval.
BRILLIANT SAVE
The Village Boys kept up their momentum early in the second half, with Celimpilo Ngema driving an effort on target that forced a save from Mzimela, before Motsie Matima powered a low shot just wide of the posts around the hour mark.
With just under a quarter hour of regulation time to play, AmaZulu were awarded a penalty when Kruger substitute Tatenda Tavengwa blocked a goal-bound shot from Nkosikhona Radebe with his hand.
Ekstein took the spot kick for Usuthu and expertly converted to make it 1-0 in the 78th minute.
How cold is this penalty? 🥶 Hendrick Ekstein buries it to put AmaZulu ahead 🔝 📺 Stream #CarlingKnockoutCup on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc https://t.co/hJgvjC7m4G
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 25, 2026
Kruger looked to fight back and nearly levelled in injury time when substitute Lesedi Kapinga sent a long-range shot toward the top corner, but Mzimela came up with a brilliant save to keep AmaZulu in front.
The teams will be in Betway Premiership action next Saturday, 31 October, with Kruger at home to Richards Bay, and AmaZulu hosting Golden Arrows.
Kruger United 0
AmaZulu FC (0) 1 (Ekstein 78’ pen)
KRUGER: Dandjinou, Malatjie, Mahlangu, Sibiya (Makhubu 57’), Tiwani (Mphothe 87’), Matima, Konqobe, Zwane (Tavengwa 57’), Ngema, Makhubela (Kapinga 87’), Ndlovu (Mngonyama 57’)
AMAZULU: Mzimela, Mthethwa, Fielies, Mdaka, Radebe, Hlangabeza, Mbanjwa (Thabede 70’), Hanamub, Maduna (Zikhali 70’), Maqokola (Slatsha 90+4’), Ngwenya (Ekstein 63’)