Royal AM were crowned 2022 KZN Premier's Cup champions defeating AmaZulu 2-1 on Sunday afternoon.
Usuthu named a completely different starting line-up from their semi-final win on penalties over Golden Arrows, as former Kaizer Chiefs defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele featured while AM also made wholesale changes, as only Philani Cele, Ryan De Jong and Mxolisi Macuphu remained from their penalty shoot-out win over Uthongathi.
AmaZulu were quick off the mark in the early stages particularly down the right flank, where Thembela Sikhakhane was linking up with Dumisani Zuma, who threatened on every occasion going forward.
Read: Ex-Chiefs Star Surfaces At AmaZulu In Premier's Cup
Thwihli Thwahla soaked up the pressure and looked for the pace of Shaune Mogaila, who was lively on quick transitions. However, Brandon Truter's charges could not maintain their attacking intensity in the back end of the first stanza and dropped deep.
AM honoured the invitation to attack and skipper Lesego Manganyi eventually broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime with a cracking low strike from a rebound in the box following a corner.
Usuthu were fired up to get back into the game but their first sight of goal came on the hour-mark after they won a free-kick on the edge of the box but Gabadinho Mhango curled his diagonal shot over the crossbar.
Truter made several changes after that, as he withdrew Zuma, who had an injury scare in the first stanza and brought on Msindisi Ndlovu and new signing Augustine Kwem was given a run in place of Bonginkosi Ntuli.
Thwihli Thwahla were already showboating and they were punished immediately thereafter, as Kwem levelled matters for AmaZulu with a glancing header at the near post from Mhango's well taken corner.
AM were fortunate not to be reduced to ten men 20 minutes before time after Thato Lingwati got a second yellow card but the referee did not pick up that he booked him for the second time.
There was further drama in the last five minutes after Thwihli Thwahla were awarded a penalty for a foul by Tebogo Masuku, who brought down Thabo Matlaba in the box. Ruzaigh Gamildien stepped up restored the lead for Royal AM.
Royal AM held their nerve in the tail end as they held on to a narrow win and were crowned KZN Premier's Cup champions for the first time.
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