AmaZulu stun Mazembe to reach Champions League group stages
Bongi Ntuli strikes as Usuthu qualify on the away goals rule.
Bonginkosi Ntuli got the vital goal for AmaZulu. Picture: Gavin Barker/Backpagepix.
Benni McCarthy’s AmaZulu pulled off a stunning 1-1 draw in Lubumbashi on Saturday to beat TP Mazembe on the away goals rule and reach the group stages of the Caf Champions League.
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It has been an amazing run to the group stages by Usuthu, who did not win either of their home games in qualifying, but recovered on the road to take their place among the best 16 sides on the continent for the first time.
In the first qualifying round, AmaZulu lost at home to Nyasa Bullets but won in Malawi to seal their place against Mazembe.
After a goalless draw at home to the Congolese giants in the first leg in Durban, AmaZulu’s backs were against the wall again, but Bongi Ntuli’s 37th minute strike got Usuthu a vital away goal and blew the tie wide open.
Mazembe could only get back into the match in stoppage time at the end of the game and by then it was too late to prevent AmaZulu making it through.
