AmaZulu FC recorded their first win of the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season when they defeated TS Galaxy 1-0 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday night.
The hard-fought victory left Usuthu placed 14th on the league standings – a point behind fourth-placed Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu will now take on Cape Town City on September 17.
Thembela Sikhakhane was handed a starting berth by coach Pablo Franco Martin after the experienced right-back served his two-match suspension against Richards Bay and Kaizer Chiefs.
The former Lamontville Golden Arrows star did not disappoint as he played well in the right-back with the KwaZulu-Natal giants’ two full-backs making smart overlapping runs.
The score was 0-0 at half-time and Franco Martin decided to pull out Bonginkosi Ntuli and the Spanish tactician introduced Augustine Chidi Kwem a minute after the hour-mark.
Sikhakhane grabbed an assist when the 30-year-old full-back set up Kwem who hit the back of the net against his former club in the 65th minute to hand AmaZulu a 1-0 lead.
The hosts continued to search for another goal after taking the lead with eventual Man of the Match Riaan Hanamub looking lively in the left flank.
Ultimately, the game ended in a 1-0 victory in favour of AmaZulu with goalkeeper Veli Mothwa impressively registering his fourth clean sheet from five league matches.
AmaZulu 1 (Kwem 65′)
Galaxy 0
Mothwa, Sikhakhane, Hanamub, Gumede, Mphahlele, Mobara, Maluleka (Ngema 62′), Brooks (Hlangabeza 73′), Ekstein (Mbanjwa 86′), Moremi, Ntuli (Kwem 61′).
Kolak, Mvelase, M. Mahlangu, Sanoka, Letsoenyo, Mbunjana, Parker, Mbatha (S. Mahlangu 67′), Mojela, Sebelebele (Rakwena 76′), Gabuza (Radebe 56′ Semache 76′).
