It took longer than planned, but AmaZulu nevertheless got their season off to a desirable start when they edged league champions SuperSport United 4-3 on penalties in the MTN8 quarter-finals at Chatsworth Stadium last night after a 2-2 scoreline in extra time.
When it was all over new Usuthu coach Neil Tovey praised his men for showing "fighting spirit and character" in a game where the home side fought back from a goal down to take a 2-1 lead before it came all square again at the death in extra time.
"We did not play as well as we could have, but the fighting spirit and character was there. And that's very positive," said Tovey, who granted debuts to several players.
"We are going to win more than we lose."
AmaZulu's first appearance in the MTN8 competition was looking to be a shortlived one as Anthony Laffor gave SuperSport the lead midway through the first half and continued to be a thorn to the Usuthu defence.
But the home side struck back with goals from Litha Ngxabi in the second half and substitute Ayanda Dlamini in extra time before SuperSport substitute Thabo Mongalo made it 2-2 right at the end of extra time.
As expected, SuperSport moved the ball around quicker and Laffor shot wide from just outside the box following a mistake in the AmaZulu defence in the 15th minute Laffor came good in the 25th minute when he fired home a freekick into the far corner, beating debutant Usuthu goalkeeper Nick Gindre of Argentina.
Usuthu also had defender Warren Bishop making his official debut, while SuperSport had midfielders Siyabonga Nkosi and Jabu Maluleke enjoying their first official appearance for the club from Pretoria.
Laffor could have doubled the lead in the 30th minute but headed winger Daine Klate's cross wide of the woodwork.
Laffor turned provider for co-striker Glen Salmon eight minutes later but Salmon's shot was blocked by Gindre.
The half-time whistle passed with AmaZulu still trying to find their rhythm in attack, meaning strikers Dumisani Ngwenya and Brad Ritson were not as active as they would have liked.
Just after the break a close-range shot from Laffor hit the upright and a few minutes later AmaZulu equalised when attacking midfielder Ngxabi raced forward to convert a pass from Ritson.
Tovey then brought on Thabo Mabaso for Japhet Zwane, followed by new striker Dlamini for Ngwenya.
Tebogo Langerman and Mongalo came on for their SuperSport debuts in the 68th minute, replacing Klate and Glen Salmon respectively.
The play was more balanced at this stage of the game but there was less thrilling goalmouth action as the final whistle came.
First-half of extra time passed by with little drama on either side of the field, but AmaZulu's fans were roaring with joy in the 26th minute when Dlamini beat SuperSport goalkeeper Dennis Onyango on a breakaway move.
Usuthu leftback Mark van Heerden got his second yellow card for overzealous celebrations and Tovey's men had to play the last few minutes with 10 men.
There was a further setback for AmaZulu at the death when Mongalo scored with his head for SuperSport during a mini goalmouth scramble, sending the game into penalties.
In the shoot-out, Gindre set the tone by stopping a shot from Hlompo Kekana before Bafo Biyela netted Usuthu's first penalty. SuperSport missed another penalty through Mongalo, after Bishop had hit the bar, and it was left to new Usuthu captain Pere Ariweriyai to slot home the final penalty which sent the crowd into raptures.
SuperSport coach Gavin Hunt complained that his team had let AmaZulu back into the game by not taking their chances in normal time, but said there was some spark in his men's play which augured well for the league campaign starting this coming weekend.
Meanwhile, holders Kaizer Chiefs won through to the semi-finals of the MTN8 competition after they defeated hard running BidVest Wits 3-1 in a hard fought, high tempo quarter-final clash played at the Rand Stadium last night.
But the scoreline flatters Amakhosi who, on the night, were not convincing.
A goalkeeping error from Wits teenager Darren Keet gifted Chiefs their second goal in the 71st minute and a last gasp injury time goal from substitute Knowledge Musona made it 3-1.
The Zimbabwean managed to chip the ball over Keet with all the Wits players attacking while searching for the equaliser.