Royal AM secured a 2-0 victory over AmaZulu in the KwaZulu-Natal derby at the Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Elias Pelembe, Shadrack Kobedi, Khetukuthula Ndlovu and Motebang Sera were all recalled to the Royal AM starting line-up, while Usuthu handed new signing Junior Dion his debut and former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Hendrick Ekstein also got a rare start.
FULL TIME
Royal AM 2️⃣-0️⃣ AmaZulu
Sera ⚽️
Macuphu ⚽️DStvPrem UNPLAYABLE pic.twitter.com/ODJq5rwYic— UNPLAYABLE (@UnplayableZA) January 8, 2023
Royal AM had a bright start as Sera made the most of their early chances on 12 minutes with a glancing header in the box after a free-kick delivery by Pelembe. The home side continued to threaten from set-plays, as Ricardo Nascimento almost doubled their lead on 23 minutes with a dipping free-kick that required a full-stretch save from goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.
AmaZulu coach Benni Folz reacted with a double attacking change at half-time as Lehlohonolo Majoro replaced Mhango and Thabo Qalinge took the place of Rally Bwalya in a tactical switch. The visitors looked much better in their efforts to get back into the game early in the second stanza, as they pinned Royal AM in their own half.
However, Thwihli Thwahla came the closest to doubling their lead on 67 minutes from a counter-attack after Sera curled a shot that came off the top of the crossbar and bounced away from goal. As Usuthu committed numbers forward without testing goalkeeper Hugo Nyame, Thwihli Thwahla brought fresh legs in attack with eight minutes to go, as Menzi Masuku and Mxolisi Macupho entered the fray.
The two substitutes had an immediate impact, as Macuphu settled the game for Royal AM with a tap-in after a cross by Masuku from a transition attack. Usuthu suddenly came to life in stoppages, as Majoro forced a save out Nyame with a volley in the six-yard box but the visitors could not get more momentum, as Royal AM secured their first win in four matches.
Chaos in the Royal AM vs AmaZulu match as the home side are awarded a goal before the referees convene to rule it out, with the ball nowhere near crossing the line pic.twitter.com/PzGSYCAq7n
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 8, 2023
