Dondol Stars continued their giant killing act in the Nedbank Cup after defeating AmaZulu on penalties at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Usuthu made six changes following their win at Chippa United on Sunday, as goalkeeper Jody February, Thembela Sikhakhane, Abbubaker Mobara, Dumisani Zuma, Rally Bwalya and Gabadinho Mhango were handed starts.
It was a strong opening for Usuthu, who were unfortunate not to go ahead when Mhango burst in from a tight angle around the area and fired off the post.
The boys from the KwaZulu-Natal province were at it again a little later after Hendrick Pule Ekstein broke through the lines before he went and lobbed wide of the bottom-corner.
Dondol didn't grant the visitors the majority of play after the half-hour mark and saw a right-footed curler outside the area by Tebogo Makungo flash wide.
Nevertheless, Usuthu were in front nine minutes into the second half when Bwalya intercepted possession high up and passed to Ekstein to slot in from inside the area.
The host showed resilience 60 minutes in and clawed themselves back on level terms as February spilled a header from Revaldo Fox, who finished off the rebound after Usuthu failed to clear their lines.
AmaZulu coach Romain Folz made a double substitution ten minutes later and withdrew Zuma and goal-scorer Ekstein for Sede Dion and Ethan Brooks.
With the contest balanced, Usuthu nearly snatched the winner in the dying minutes when Mobara's free-kick drew a remarkable save off goalkeeper Sphamandla Gumede.
The visitors went close again a minute in extra-time as Brooks combined with Mhango on the edge of the area and fired off the crossbar.
Dondol launched a threat too moments later where a low snap shot in the box from substitute Tyson Patlana brought a low save off February.
There were drama in the latter minutes when Keagan Buchanan picked up a second yellow and a red card for an off-the-ball incident around the touchline.
Neither side were able to find the winner as the match went to a penalty shoot-out and Dondol emerged victors, with Tumelo Mathiane firing in the winning kick after Mhango had missed for Usuthu.
Confirmed line-ups:
Dondol Stars: Gumede, Mabu, Nomala, Fox, Balovi, Monama, Mnvembane, Molefe, Katiso, Skhosana, Makungo.
Subs: Danquarh, Mathiane, Ralebakeng, Makhanya, Mokhina, Nemaxwi, Phatlane, Nameka, Ngwetjana
AmaZulu: February, Sikhakhane, Hanamub, Gumede, Mphahlele, Mobara, Bwalya, Ekstein, Ntuli, Zuma, Mhango
Subs: Mothwa, Mabiliso, Khumalo, Brooks, Buchanan, Kunene, Majoro, Kwem, Dion
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