PIC: Pule Ekstein celebrates his goal

A Pule Ekstein goal four minutes from the end sealed victory for AmaZulu over Royal AM in their Nedbank Cup Last 32 clash on Thursday night as they booked a somewhat rare passage to the second round at the King Zwelithini Stadium. 
There was little to write home about in the first half with chances at a premium. Maybe the teams were feeling each other out, but there was little ambition to try anything creative and that was reflected in the lack of chances. 

Royal AM had an excellent opportunity to take the lead in the second half when they broke from a free-kick on the edge of their own box and found themselves with a six on one situation.

They might have been more accurate with their passing but eventually found Sera Motebang in the box, but his shot from 14 yards went over the bar.
The breakthrough came on 86 minutes as Ekstein got on the scoresheet. His initial left-footed shot was only parried by Hugo Nyame in the Royal AM goal and when the ball broke back to him, he finished into the roof of the net with his right.

He has only scored two goals in two-and-a-half seasons at AmaZulu, but both have come in the Nedbank Cup. He also netted against Dondol Stars in the Last 16 in 2023.    
AmaZulu have now reached the second round of the Nedbank Cup in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2012.

Since then they have gone out in the first round on seven occasions and the second four times, but never made it to the Last 16 two years in a row.

As it is, that campaign 12 years ago was also the last time they made it past the second round as they reached the semifinals. 

AmaZulu created the better chances in the game and had more of the ball, so just about deserved their win.

It is a second victory in succession against Royal AM after they also won 3-0 in a league game in late December, adding slat to the wounds of their provincial rivals.

Royal AM have enjoyed some good runs in the Nedbank Cup in the past, but this time exit early

LAST 32 RESULTS
February 20
SuperSport United 1 (Campbell 20’) Cape Town City 1 (Mayo 45’) 
After extra-time; SuperSport won 3-1 on penalties

NB La Masia 1 (Johnson 36’pen) Mamelodi Sundowns 6 (Sirino 18’, 39’, 70’, Esquivel 22’, Mashego 27’, Maboe 49’)  

February 21
Highlands Park 1 (Abreu 120’) Sekhukhune United 1 (Yamba 94’)
After extra-time; Sekhukhune won 5-4 on penalties

University of Pretoria 1 (Abrahams 33’pen) Cape Town Spurs 0

February 22

AmaZulu 1 (Ekstein 86’) Royal AM 0

LAST 32 FIXTURES 

Friday, February 23

19h00: Lamontville Golden Arrows vs TS Galaxy – Mpumalanga Stadium

19h00: Stellenbosch FC vs Pretoria Callies – Danie Craven Stadium

Saturday, February 24

15h00: JDR Stars vs Hungry Lions – Giant Stadium

15h00: Platinum City Rovers vs Moroka Swallows – Isak Steyl Stadium

15h00: FC Ravens vs Spain FC – Princess Magogo Stadium

15h00: Crystal Lake vs Orlando Pirates – Mbombela Stadium

18h00: Richards Bay vs Polokwane City – King Zwelithini Stadium

Sunday, February 25

15h00: D’General vs Madridtas – Free State Stadium
15h00: Maritzburg United vs Paarl United – Princess Magogo Stadium  

15h00: NC Professionals vs Chippa United – Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium

18h00: Kaizer Chiefs vs Milford FC – FNB Stadium

TOURNAMENT STATS 

Matches Played: 5

Goals Scored: 13

Biggest Victory: NB La Masia 1 Mamelodi Sundowns 6 (February 20, Last 32)

Most Goals in a Game: 7 – NB La Masia 1 Mamelodi Sundowns 6 (February 20, Last 32)

GOALSCORERS
3 goals – Gaston Sirino (Mamelodi Sundowns)

1 – Delano Abrahams (University of Pretoria), Emilio Abreu (Highlands Park), Shandre Campbell (SuperSport United), Pule Ekstein (AmaZulu), Matias Esquivel (Mamelodi Sundowns), Fuad Johnson (NB La Masia), Lebogang Maboe (Mamelodi Sundowns), Terrence Mashego (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khanyisa Mayo (Cape Town City), Tresor Yamba (Sekhukhune United)