Ekstein Fires AmaZulu To Nedbank Cup Last 8

Image via @RichardsBayFC_

AmaZulu FC booked their spot in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over KwaZulu-Natal rivals Richards Bay FC on Friday night.

Nedbank Cup

Result: Richards Bay 0-1 AmaZulu

Date: 20 February 2026

Venue: Umhlathuze Sports Complex

Usuthu coach Arthur Zwane handed a recall to veteran midfielder Hendrick Ekstein in place of Mlondi Mbanjwa, while Elmo Kambindu was named in the matchday squad for the first time since November.

Both sides looked to be up for the encounter and neither showed signs of sitting back, much to the delight of the lively crowd at Umhlathuze Sports Complex, although clear-cut chances were hard to come by at both ends.

The game’s first big opening fell to AmaZulu on 33 minutes when Nkosikhona Radebe sent a well-placed cross into the box for Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya, who sent his header wide of the target with only goalkeeper Richard Otieno to beat.

Otieno was key to keeping the scores level going into the halftime break as he produced a fine reaction save to keep out Rian Hanamub’s curling free-kick, while Usuthu goalkeeper Darren Johnson only had a handful of routine stops to make throughout the opening 45 minutes.

That all changed eight minutes into the second half as the visitors broke the deadlock when Ekstein pounced on a mis-timed clearance from Richards Bay captain Simphiwe Mcineka in the six-yard area before lobbing Otieno from a tight angle.

The Natal Rich Boyz responded by throwing on a veteran of their own, with striker Knox Mutizwa replacing Siyabonga Nzama upfront for the final 25 minutes of the second half. AmaZulu made a couple changes minutes later as Ektsein and Langelihle Mhongo made way for Mlondi Mbanjwa and Luyolo Slatsha.

Mcineka nearly made up for his error with eight minutes left on the clock after getting on the end of a free-kick but his first-time effort was brilliantly palmed away by Johnson on the goal-line.

Usuthu should have added a second goal in the 85th minute when Hanamub put the ball on a plate for Nwegnya in the six-yard area, but the forward blazed over the crossbar from six-yards out with the goal at his mercy. Nevertheless, Zwane’s charges were able to see out the closing stages and book their spot in the quarter-finals.

Here’s how they lined up:

Richards Bay: Otieno, Sikhakhane, Mntungwa, Mcineka, Zulu, Mabuta, Gumede, Zikhali, Mahalala, Nzama, Barns

Subs: Mtshali, Mutizwa, Khumalo, Ndelu, Nashixwa, Mzobe, Ngema, Zuke

AmaZulu: Johnson, Radebe, Hanamub, Mthethwa, Fielies, Allan, Bern, Mhlongo, Ngwenya, Maqokolo, Ekstein

Subs: Ofori, Dube, Mbanjwa, Slatsha, Thabede, Sithole, Kambindu, Mashigo, Kutumela

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