Ea Lla Koto Edge Usuthu

18 February 2012

ABSA Premiership

Date: 18 February 2012

Teams: Free State Stars 2–1 AmaZulu

Venue: Charles Mopeli Stadium

Referee: Victor Hlungwane

 

Free State Stars collected their first three points of 2012 with a 2-1 win over AmaZulu on Saturday afternoon.

Man of the Match Edward Mnqele struck on either side of the break at Charles Mopeli Stadium, while substitute Stanton Lewis equalised briefly for the visitors.

Victory lifted Steve Komphela's men, who missed a penalty, to fifth place on the Premiership table with 28 points - 10 more than 10th-placed Usuthu.

The hosts threatened early as Mnqele rattled the side-netting with a thunderous effort from range barely three minutes in.

It was a sign of things to come as the in-form hitman scored four minutes later. Mnqele - on target in a midweek draw at SuperSport United - beat Kapini with a clinical, grounded shot in the box following good work from Daniel Agbagwu.

Shortly after Diego Brown tested Kapini with a menacing free-kick from 35 yards out. The Usuthu skipper dived smartly to his right to deny the Ocean View-born attacker.

Stars continued to dominate proceedings as their pace and movement stretched an anxious AmaZulu defence. Kapini, however, stood firm in goal and impressed again on 22 minutes to scoop up a useful shot from Paulos Masehe.

At the other end, Ayanda Dlamini nearly broke free in the box but Ayanda Gcaba made a last-gasp challenge to thwart the misfiring AmaZulu forward, who has yet to score this season.

Agbagwu came close to extending the advantage shortly past the half-hour but Kapini twice foiled the Ea Lla Koto man.

Stars then missed a penalty just before half-time after Mnqele was bundled over by Moses Chavula in the box. Brown, in his first start of the season, stepped up confidently but his powerful effort was too close to Kapini, who beat the ball away to safety.

The visitors raised their game in the second period, showing greater industry in midfield in particular. But they lacked cohesion in the final third, with Stars rarely troubled at the back - that is until the 70th minute.
Lewis, on for the ineffectual Goodman Dlamini, first hit the upright with a low shot from the edge of the area before scoring with an attempted cross four minutes later.

Ea Lla Koto, however, hit back strongly as Mnqele turned home a cross from Dove Wome in the 82nd minute to bag the spoils.

Free State Stars: Ayanda Mtshali, Rudiger Gilbert, Ayanda Gcaba, Soriola Gege, Katlego Mashego, Paulos Masehe, Mzikayise Mashaba, Diego Brown (Mosikidi 61'), Dove Wome (Wiltwer 90'), Edward Mnqele, Daniel Agbagwu (Sekgobela 73').

AmaZulu: Tapuwa Kapini, Carlington Nyadombo, Kasonga Bukasa, Thamsanqa Sangweni (Zhuwawo 68'), Tshweu Mokoro, Moses Chavula, Stanley Kgatla, Bongani Mbhele (Zwane 61'), Kagiso Senamela, Goodman Dlamini (Lewis 46'), Ayanda Dlamini.

Goals: Edward Mnqele (Free State Stars 7', 82'), Stanton Lewis (AmaZulu 74').