Durban City FC held off a gallant Casric Stars to record a 1-0 win in an action-packed Nedbank Cup semi-final at the Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
On a hot day in Chatsworth in front of a lively home crowd, both teams gave their all and created a number of chances; in the end though, an early own goal was enough to settle a contest which was played on a knife-edge.
The Citizens came flying out the blocks from kickoff and took the lead after only six minutes when Casric Stars defender Nhlanhla Ntuli miscued an attempted clearance on a cross from Terrence Mashego and sent the ball into his own net.
The hosts kept the pressure on and were inches away from doubling their lead in the 11th minute as Saziso Magawana’s free kick narrowly eluded both the far post as well as the onrushing Siphamandla Ncanana.
Moments later, a beautiful flowing move from City ended with Magawana stealing in at the backpost to steer the ball goalwards, Stars goalkeeper Gift Mthombeni only just managing to keep the ball from going over the line.
Just before the end of first half regulation time City had another good chance to extend their lead when Samkelo Maseko picked out Jean Lwamba with a low cross, but there was no end product as the shot was fired over the bar.
There was unfortunately a setback for the KwaZulu-Natal side when Mfanafuthi Mkhize was forced off through injury.
Following the restart, Lwamba had another go at goal, but was unable to beat Mthombeni from range.
Stars upped the ante around the midway point of the second half, putting the home side under pressure with a series of dangerous balls into the box.
However, when called upon, Durban City keeper Darren Keet was up to the task as he made a couple of vital interventions, including a point-blank save after Siphosethu Meveni had gone clean in on goal.
There was a scare for the Durban side with 10 minutes to play when Decide Chauke’s rasping low drive fizzed narrowly past Keet’s righthand upright.
There was action in both goal boxes in a tense closing period of the game, including an opportunity for Luphumlo Sifumba after he rounded the Stars goalkeeper outside the big box, only to find the side-netting with his attempted finish.
It proved inconsequential however as the final whistle blew seconds later, allowing the Citizens march march on to the final.
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