On Sunday afternoon, AmaZulu put an end to their five-game winless streak
in the DStv Premiership with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Chippa United.
Nigerian shot-stopper Stanley Nwabali was recalled between the sticks for
the visitors, while Ronald Pfumbidzai was in the centre of defence.
Both sides came into the clash desperate for maximum points, as Chippa
had recently fallen to Swallows FC and Usuthu had not won a league match
in five outings.
Clear-cut chances were few and far between in the first half, with
Tercious Malepe seeing his header comfortably saved by Nwabali in the
opening 15 minutes.
The Chilli Boys were nearly gifted a goal on 34 minutes when goalkeeper
Veli Mothwa cleared the ball straight to Ronaldo Maarman, but defender
Ramahlwe Mphahlele did well to thwart the Chippa forward.
Gabadinho Mhango did go close with a strike of his own before the break,
with Malawian’s low driven strike sailing wide of Nwabali’s goal as the
first half ended all square.
AmaZulu coach Romain Folz responded with a change five minutes into the
second half, with Guily Manziba making way for Mxolisi Kunene as they
pushed for an opening goal.
The visitors got the breakthrough just before the hour mark, as Sede Dion
bagged his fourth goal of the campaign with a deflected effort from
distance that gave Nwabali no chance.
With Chippa pushing for the equaliser, Usuthu found a second goal with 11
minutes to play as Mbongeni Gumede nodded home from a corner kick to seal
the spoils.
The win takes AmaZulu up to eighth spot in the DStv Premiership table,
while Chippa find themselves in 13th position, five points above the
relegation zone.
