Malawi National Football Team top striker Gabadinho Mhango missed a penalty as Amazulu were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup following a 5-4 loss to minnows Dondol Stars at FNB Stadium on Wednesday night.
The match ended in a 1-1 stalemate after extra time.
It was a bad day at the office for Mhango as Dondol goalkeeper Sphamandla Gumede saved his spot-kick.
In regulation time, Mhango had a chance in the first half but was denied by the upright in the 22nd minute.
Another chance came his way a few minutes later but the former Orlando Pirates and FCB Nyasa Bullets star squandered it.
Amazulu had several chances to win the match but Hendrick Ekstein chipped his effort inches wide before returning to claim the first goal.
But Dondol fought hard and their efforts paid off, with Revaldo Fox finding the equaliser, forcing the match into extra time, which also failed to produce the winner.
During post-match penalty kicks, Lehlonolo Majoro, Abbubaker Mobara, Mbongeni Gumede and Sede Junior Dion found the back of the net for Amazulu whereas Kholofelo Monama, Francious Baloyi, Whitehead Nameka, Thabang Mnyembane and Tumelo Mathiane scored for Dondol.
Mhango was yet to respond to a message asking him to comment on the match as we went to press yesterday.
The result saw Amazulu becoming the second DStv Premiership side to lose to an ABC Motsepe League team in the competition after Dondol also knocked out SuperSport United in the opening round.
Former Flames attacking midfielder Sherry Msuku said he believes the miss will not affect Mhango’s performance in subsequent matches.
’’Such things happen in a game of football. This is quite normal. The best he can do for now is shifting his focus to the next match,’’ Msuku said.
Mhango is expected to be part of the Flames squad to face Egypt in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this month end after inspiring Malawi to a 2-1 win over Ethiopia last year in a match where he netted both goals from the spot.
The Malawian has scored six goals for Amazulu in the current DStv Premiership this season.