Ten-man AmaZulu FC were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Orlando Pirates in a DStv Premiership match at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.
Therefore, Usuthu remain 13th in the league standings, but they are three points behind eighth-placed Golden Arrows. The KwaZulu-Natal giants’ next match is against Chippa United at home on April 27 as coach Pablo Franco Martin looks to ensure that his side returns to winning ways.
Usuthu were the better side in the opening exchanges with the likes of Hendrick Ekstein and Victor Letsoalo looking lively. The visitors were unlucky not to take the lead in the ninth minute when Letsoalo hit the upright from close range following a free-kick by Abubaker Mobara.
However, the Buccaneers grew gradually into the match and AmaZulu were reduced to 10 players in the 21st minute after Mobara was sent off as he was adjudged to have denied Pirates a clear goalscoring opportunity. AmaZulu were then able to contain Jose Riveiro’s men until the half-time break with the two teams locked at 0-0.
Despite being numerically disadvantaged, Usuthu were able to test Sipho Chaine in the Bucs goal-posts in the opening 15 minutes of the second-half. The former Bloemfontein Celtic goalkeeper denied former Buccaneers Augustine Mulenga and Ben Motshwari.
In the 62nd minute, Riveiro pulled out the ineffective Kabelo Dlamini and introduced Monnapule Saleng who proved to be an inspired substitute. The speedster set up Tshegofatso Mabasa who netted his 11th league goal of the season in the 75th minute to seal Pirates’ late 1-0 win over AmaZulu.
Pirates (0) 1 (Mabasa 75′)
AmaZulu (0) 0
Pirates: Chaine, Xoki, Sesane, Makhaula, Lebitso, Timm (Ndlondlo 62′), Dlamini (Saleng 62′), Hotto (Maela 83′), Maswanganyi, Mofokeng (Kimvuidi 73′), Mabasa.
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Sikhakhane, Hanamub, Mphahlele, Fielies, Mobara, Motshwari (Kwem 80′), Brooks (Ngema 80′), Ekstein (Moremi 80′), Letsoalo (Dion 70′), Mulenga (Mbanjwa 70′).
