AmaZulu FC produced a dominant performance to defeat Chippa United 5-1 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, effectively ending a winless streak that had plagued Arthur Zwane’s side since the last international break.
Heading into the match eager to return to winning ways, Usuthu started with clear intent. They dominated the opening exchanges, creating numerous opportunities to unsettle the visitors. Athini Maqokolo almost opened the scoring inside the first minute, signalling early warning signs for the Chippa United defence.
The pressure from the home side was unrelenting, forcing Chippa into hurried errors. One such instance almost resulted in a disastrous own goal when a back pass to goalkeeper Dumisani Msibi slipped underneath his foot, which he was quick to gather and clear away from his net. Despite AmaZulu’s early dominance and constant territorial control, it was the visitors who struck first against the run of play. Azola Matrose broke the deadlock with a superb strike, punishing the hosts for their failure to convert their early chances.
Refusing to be discouraged, Zwane’s men rallied before the break. Parity was restored just minutes before halftime when Athini Maqokolo attacked a cross to head home the equaliser. Moments later, on the stroke of halftime, Sphamandla Zikhali capitalised on a defensive mix-up to put Usuthu in the lead, taking a 2-1 advantage into the dressing room.
The second half saw the home team turn up the intensity. Maqokolo continued his stellar afternoon, completing his brace in the 74th minute to extend the lead to 3-1, With Chippa United unable to handle the momentum. Substitute Thapelo Matlhoko capitalised on a stray pass from Abbubaker Mobara to make it 4-1 with eleven minutes remaining. In stoppage time, Thabiso Kutumela capped off the emphatic victory, scoring the fifth and final goal to seal an impressive three points for Arthur Zwane’s charges.
Maqokolo walked away with the man of the match award, much to the delight of his mentor Zwane “if there’s a player that I’m happy for is Athini, the games that we drew and the games that we lost he was the main culprit, missing those open chances, so I’m glad he managed to score the 2 goals. I was worried that the more he misses, he will lose his confidence, so I’m happy for him”
This commanding win serves as a major boost for AmaZulu as they look to build momentum in the final stretch of the Betway Premiership campaign.
AmaZulu – Mzimela, Ngcobo (Gustavo Lopes 75′), Hanamub (c), Maqokolo (Moon 83′), Fielies, Allan, Hlangabeza, Bern, Mzobe (Dube 75′), Zikhali (Matlhoko 61′), Mbanjwa (Kutumela 83′)
Chippa United – Msibi, Modise, Kammies (Ntsundwana 63′), Figareido (Eva Nga 45′), Kwayiba, Mosele (Magugwana 80′), Mobara, Mfecane (Konqobe 45′), Matrose, Madingwana, Majadibodu