Durban City Secures Nedbank Cup Final Spot with Victory Against Upset Specialists Casric Stars

The match’s only goal resulted from an unfortunate own goal by Stars defender Sphamandla Mlilo early on, although the lower-league team created several opportunities to equalise.

Despite their efforts, Casric Stars’ impressive cup run, which included victories over Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu, came to a halt.

City took the lead within six minutes due to a disastrous own goal from the visitors. Terrence Mashego delivered a cross from the right, and in attempting to clear, Mlilo could only redirect the ball into his own net.

Mlilo became the third player in Nedbank Cup semi-final history to score an own goal since 2008, following Mario Booysen (Maritzburg United) and Lucky Mohomi (Free State Stars).

He nearly made amends shortly after, but his header from a free-kick failed to find the target. Meanwhile, Stars goalkeeper Tshigwana Mthombeni, son of owner-coach Joseph ‘Bucs’ Mthombeni, showcased his skills by denying Saziso Magawana at the back post, keeping the score at 1-0.

City missed a golden chance to extend their lead when Jean Lwamba, receiving a set-up from the right, blazed the ball high and wide instead of scoring.

Stars had a fantastic opportunity to level the scores just before the hour mark when Decide Chauke found himself one-on-one with City goalkeeper Darren Keet, but he was dispossessed as he prepared to shoot.

Keet was then called into action again, making a vital save to stop Siphosethu Meveni’s close-range effort. Shortly after, Stars were nearly involved in yet another own goal, this time from Lifa Makua, whose attempted clearance struck the crossbar.

This marks City’s second appearance in the final, and their first as current club identity. They were established following the relocation and rebranding of Maritzburg United, though the ownership remains the same.

Previously, they reached the Nedbank Cup final in 2018 but lost 1-0 to Free State Stars in Cape Town. Interestingly, Casric Stars originated when Mthombeni acquired the status of Free State Stars in 2022, making Saturday’s victory feel like a form of retribution.

City’s defence has held strong, recording their third clean sheet in four Nedbank Cup matches this season, and they have progressed without the need for penalties for the first time; their previous five ties all required extra time, with the last four going to penalties.

The second semi-final will take place on Sunday, featuring TS Galaxy against another second-division team, Milford FC, at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium (kick-off 15h00).

Galaxy, who were champions in 2019 while competing in the second tier, triumphed over Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the final in Durban.

Historically, four teams from outside the Betway Premiership have reached the Nedbank Cup final, but aside from Galaxy, all have finished as runners-up.

In 2008, Mpumalanga Black Aces fell 1-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns, University of Pretoria lost 1-0 to Moroka Swallows in 2009, and Black Leopards were defeated 3-1 by Orlando Pirates in 2011.

The 2026 Nedbank Cup final is set to occur on May 2.