AmaZulu secured their first victory in the CAF Champions League group phase after edging Horoya 1-0 on Friday evening.
CAF Champions League
Result: AmaZulu 1-0 Horoya
Date: 18 February 2022
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Usuthu coach Benni McCarthy rang the changes from the side that narrowly lost to Raja Casablanca, as Luvuyo Memela, Keagan Buchanan, Xolani Mlambo and Philani Zulu were all recalled while new signing Abraham Majok got his first start upfront.
Tapelo Xoki had a big chance to give Usuthu the lead after 13 minutes after getting on the end of a cross by Buchanan, but he guided his header over the crossbar.
AmaZulu were all over Horoya and Memela eventually broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark with an audacious back-heel in the six-yard box after a square pass by Augustine Mulenga.
The hosts remained in attack and Majok squandered the chance to double their lead just before the halftime break with a close-range header after some good work by Mulenga.
The visitors were fired up coming from the break, as Boniface Haba almost equalised four minutes in with a strike that crashed the crossbar before Pape Ndiaye missed the far post by a whisker with a volley from the rebound.
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With Usuthu absorbing the pressure and playing on counter-attacks, McCarthy made a double change in the 65th as Qalinge replaced Majok and Mlambo made way for Matarr Ceesay for fresh legs in midfield.
Horoya were camping inside AmaZulu's half in the latter stages, threatening to get the equaliser, as Sebe Baffour unleashed a rocket from a free-kick six minutes before time that was bravely punched away goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.
The save from Mothwa ensured Usuthu walked away with their first group stage win in the history of the tournament ahead of next week's clash against ES Setif.
Here's how they started:
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Gumede, Khumalo, Xoki, Zulu, Memela, Mlambo, Makhaula, Buchanan, Mulenga, Majok
Subs: Amonome, Sikhakhane, Mobara, Ceesay, Ekstein, Qalinge, Ntuli
