Smiso Msomi

AmaZulu (3) 5

Mthethwa 10, 81; Mbanjwa 20, Ighodaro 31

Mighty Eagles (0) 1

Awonke 68

AmaZulu cruised to victory over ABC Motsepe League side Might Eagles to book their place in the round of 16 of the Nedbank Cup, while fellow elite division clubs Stellenbosch and SuperSport United also booked their spots in the next phase of the tournament.

Defender Sandile Mthethwa marked his first start for Usuthu with a hat-trick to help the Betway Premiership seal passage into the next round. The hosts broke the deadlock early as new signing Mthethwa marked his first start for the club with a goal.

FULL-TIME ⏰ | #NedbankCup 🏆

Through to the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup.#AmaZuluFC 5⃣ ➖ 1⃣ Mighty Eagles#Isagila #HebeUsuthu #UsuthuTogether pic.twitter.com/aEztE5VWJA
— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) January 28, 2025

The towering defender jumped over the visiting goalkeeper after a wickedly deflected Ramahlwe Mphahlele shot looped up awkwardly and sent AmaZulu on their way. Ten minutes later, midfielder Mlondi Mbanjwa flexed his muscle as he forced his way through defenders to get himself on the scoresheet and double his side’s lead.

The ex-Bafana Bafana man then turned provider for the third as he drilled a low shot that was tapped in at the far post by the club’s leading scorer Etiosa Ighodaro. Although the visitors found a consolation goal in the second half, a late Mthethwa brace took the game away from their reach.

FULL-TIME ⏰ | #NedbankCup 🏆

Through to the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup.#AmaZuluFC 5⃣ ➖ 1⃣ Mighty Eagles#Isagila #HebeUsuthu #UsuthuTogether pic.twitter.com/aEztE5VWJA
— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) January 28, 2025

Having suffered a heavy defeat themselves in their last outing, expectations were for the hosts to shake off that bad omen by putting lower tier opposition to the sword.

The KwaZulu-Natal based side meant business from the get-go and averaged a goal every ten minutes in the opening stanza as they showcased the difference in quality immediately.

Leading with a three-goal buffer, Usuthu saw an opportunity to freshen his team by making three half-time changes. Mbanjwa, Rowan Human and Mbongeni Gumede made way for Pule Ekstein, Andiswa Sithole as well as Abubeker Mobara.

Having put on a professional performance to advance to the next stage, Usuthu will now switch their focus to their league encounter against SuperSport United on Friday.

Elsewhere, Stellies beat Kruger United 2-1, while SuperSport United where ruthless in dispatching Magesi 2-0.