Posted on May 04, 2012 05:00
The 'David versus Goliath' themed Nedbank Cup has surely picked out its semi-final contenders and guess what, AmaZulu are one of them again and are looking to get to the final and perhaps win the silverware they have not yet clinched their hands into.
Usuthu are a respected team but surprisingly they have managed just two trophy success over the last four decades. They are among the country’s most popular clubs and perennial contenders for honours but have had limited chance for celebration. But with the form they have indicated not only in the PSL League but also the progression in this years’ Nedbank Cup, it sets to be the clubs opportunity to rectify this record.
AmaZulu were league winners in 1972 and won the Coca-Cola Cup in 1992. But they have not been able to get their hands on the country’s top knockout trophy, finishing runners-up three years in a row from 1972 to 1974 and again in 1987 and 1990. It has become something of a quest for the Holy Grail for AmaZulu, who have the record for the biggest win in cup competition in the country, 16-0 win over Ford Pirates of the Eastern Cape in the first round of the Mainstay Cup in 1986.
In 2008, AmaZulu came close to matching that record with a 14-0 win over Young Ones in the first round of the Nedbank Cup. Last year they were eliminated in the quarterfinals, going down 3-2 to then Premier League rivals Mpumalanga Black Aces.
They were finalists under Coach Neil Tovey in the 2009/10 season but lost the decider 3-0 to a rampant BidVest Wits at the newly-built FNB Stadium.
They are back again and this time under Swede coach Roger Palmgren and it promises to be a different outcome beginning with the clash against Supersport United on Sunday 06 May 2012 at Peter Mokaba Stadium with the Kick-off at 15:00pm.