AmaZulu climbed up to 11th place in the Betway Premiership standings after edging Royal AM 2-1 in the KwaZulu-Natal derby on Friday afternoon
Betway Premiership
Result: AmaZulu 2-1 Royal AM
Date: 12 December 2024
Venue: King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium
AmaZulu made two changes to the side that lost against TS Galaxy, as Celimpilo Ngema and Mondli Mbanjwa were recalled.
Royal AM, on the other hand, also made similar number of alterations, as Sabelo Sithole and Smiso Gumede were brought in following a draw against Kaizer Chiefs.
The hosts threatened early on as just after 18 minutes, Mbanjwa came close to giving them the lead with a strike that was parried to the post by goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto.
However, Hendrick Ekstein broke the deadlock for Usuthu eight minutes before the interval with a strike from range into a gaping net after Mpoto came out of his area and failed to clear his lines, taking his tally to three goals in five league games.
Thwihli Thwahla suddenly came to life and Ayabulela Maxwele had an almost similar chance shortly before the break fired his shot wide of an open net.
Usuthu had a perfect start in the second stanza after Mbanjwa doubled their lead a couple of minutes from the interval with a diagonal shot in the box after a through ball by Rowan Human.
Royal AM struggled to create chances and midway into the first stanza, John Maduka reacted with changes, as Levy Mashiane replaced Thabo Matlaba in a tactical and attacking move while Mfundo Thikazi came on for Sedwyn George in a change of shape in attack.
The substitutions made an immediate impact, as Mashiane pulled a goal back for the visitors 12 minutes before time with a strike from a rebound after shot-stopper Richard Ofori spilled a strike by Thikazi.
AmaZulu were threatening to kill off the game in the dying minutes and held Thwihli Thwahla back, as they did enough to win their third game in four matches.
Usuthu moved up to 11th on the log while Maduka's men were left lying 13th.
Here's how they lined up:
AmaZulu: Ofori, Jooste, Hanamub, Fielies, Mphahlele, Motshwari, Ngema, Ekstein, Ighodaro, Mbanjwa, Human
Subs: Mothwa, Gumede, Sikhakhane, Ngobeni, Mngonyama, Moremi, Kunene, Haba, Ndlovu
Royal AM: Mpoto, Shezi, Jiyane, Zulu, Matlaba, Mahlasela, Gumede, Dlamini, Maxwele, George, Sithole
Subs: Ngcobo, Kobedi, Manganyi, Mkhize, Thikazi, Vezi, Mbhele, Sithebe
