“Tears Of Love”: Mthombeni Dedicates Historic Win To Late Mother

Casric Stars coach Bucks Mthombeni opened up about his emotional post-match reaction following his side’s stunning Nedbank Cup quarter-final victory over AmaZulu.

Mthombeni revealed that the spirit of his late mother fueled the emotions that overcame him at the final whistle.

Stars continued their giant-killing run with a 2–1 victory over AmaZulu after extra time in the Nedbank Cup quarter-final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

Decide Chauke scored the winner with five minutes remaining in extra time after Hendrick Ekstein had cancelled out Mfundo Thikazi’s earlier goal.

The Motsepe Foundation Championship side had already produced a major upset in the previous round, knocking out Orlando Pirates on penalties in the round of 16 at Orlando Stadium.

“The spirit of my mother just came to me,” said Mthombeni after the match.

“If my mother were still alive, she would have been very proud. That is what I felt I was missing in that moment. I don’t want to talk much about my father.

“My mother always encouraged us to watch and play football rather than stay away from sport. She believed that kids who are not involved in sport often end up doing the wrong things.

“She used to support us so much, and I just became emotional thinking about how her spirit is still with me.”

Mthombeni added that the pressure surrounding their run in the competition also contributed to his emotions.

“After we played Orlando Pirates, we were under a lot of pressure because many people were calling and wishing us luck,” he said.

“I was emotional coming to Durban and then being able to win the game. Before this round we had played four matches and conceded only one goal.

“But now that is in the past. Those were tears of love.”

The giant-killing trend in this year’s competition continued later on Saturday when Motsepe Foundation Championship leaders Milford shocked Betway Premiership side Sekhukhune United on penalties at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

The results mean two second-tier teams have secured places in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals.

Asked whether he now believes his team can go all the way and win the competition after beating both Pirates and AmaZulu, Mthombeni remained cautious.

“We are in the semi-finals now, but we need to go back and wait for the draw on Monday, and then we can start planning,” he said.

“It is not something I was thinking about too much, but I always tell the players that whoever we face, they must give their all.”