AmaZulu finally got their first win of the DStv Premiership after defeating Baroka FC 1-0 on Saturday afternoon.
DStv Premiership
Result: AmaZulu 1-0 Baroka
Date: 25 September 2021
Venue: Jonsson Kings Park Stadium
Usuthu made four changes, as they recalled Mbongeni Gumede, Keagan Buchanan, Siyanda Khumalo and Matarr Ceesay while Bakgaga made two alterations, with Athenkosi Dlala getting a rare start alongside returning goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze.
The hosts had a quick start as they were awarded a penalty in the 13th minute after Joslin Kamatuka brought down Sphesihle Maduna on the byline, inside the box.
Bonginkosi Ntuli stepped up to take the spot-kick and gave Benni McCarthy's charges the lead with a composed finish past Chipezeze.
Gerald Phiri Junior had a chance to bring Baroka back into the game in the 26th minute after a cross by Evidence Makgopa found him inside the box but he guided his effort wide and there were no clear openins for either side in the closing stages of the first stanza, as AmaZulu went to the break leading by an odd goal.
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Matsimela Thoka rearranged his system with a triple change at half-time, as Decide Chauke replaced Dlala, Nhlanhla Mgaga came on for Phiri Junior both and Tshepo Mokhaba came on for Manuel Kambala.
Chances were hard to come by in the early stages of the second stanza and Siyethemba Sithebe had the first opportunity for Usuthu on the hour-mark, forcing a save out of Chipezeze.
McCarthy made a double substitution for fresh legs in the 67th minute as Siphelele Mthembu came on for Ntuli and Luvuyo Memela replaced Maduna.
AmaZulu were looking to control the game in the last eigh minutes, as Tshepang Moremi replaced Ceesay for fresh legs upfront but Limbikani Mzava came on for Buchanan to reinforce the defence and Usuthu held on to clinch their first win.
Here's how they started:
AmaZulu: 44. Mothwa, 17. Gumede, 22. Khumalo, 27. Xoki, 24. Masilela, 10. Sithebe, 8. Makhaula, 21. Ceesay, 45. Buchanan, 34. Maduna, 7. Ntuli.
Subs: 43. Boshoff, 25. Mzava, 29. Mgwazela, 11. Memela, 19. Moremi, 28. Ekstein, 14. De Jong, 9. Mthembu, 20. Majoro
Baroka: 1. Chipezeze, 5. Makume, 6. Sibiya, 25. Kamatuka, 16. Dlala, 17. Kambala, 33. Farmer, 3. Gebhardt, 9. Mbulu, 10. Phiri Jr, 27. Makgopa.
Subs: 31. Chibwe, 4. Seema, 12. Mgaga, 11. Sithole, 19. Chauke, 28. Monama, 7. Mokhabi, 18. Shozi, 2. Mphahlele
