AmaZulu FC emerged as 3-1 winners over Richards Bay in the Betway Premiership match played at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
As a result, Usuthu climbed up to the 13th spot in the league standings after grabbing the KwaZulu-Natal Derby bragging rights and they will be determined to make it three victories in a row when they lock horns with TS Galaxy away on 7 December.
Usuthu controlled the match from the start with Ethan Brooks and Rowan Human looking lively. Brooks dribbled past goalkeeper Ian Otieno before playing a cutback pass for Godspower Ighodaro whose effort went wide of the target in the 25th minute.
AmaZulu deservedly took the lead in the 37th minute when Tshepang Moremi burst into the Richards Bay box from the right before setting up Human who hit the back of the net and the visitors were leading 1-0 during the half-time break in Umlazi, Durban.
Coach Arthur Zwane and Vusumuzi Vilakazi’s side did not sit back and defend their lead after the restart. Ighodaro scored a controversial goal in the 66th minute after connecting with Wayde Jooste’s cross and there were doubts about whether the ball had entirely crossed the goal-line.
However, Usuthu continued to attack and they extended their lead in the 69th minute when Brooks beat Otieno after the Natal Rich Boys’ defence was exposed. Yanela Mbuthuma pulled one in stoppage time, but AmaZulu held on to secure a 3-1 win over Richards Bay.
Richards (0) 1 (Mbuthuma
AmaZulu (1) 3 ( Human 37′, Ighodaro 66′, Brooks 69′)
Richards: Otieno, Mabuya, Mabua, Allan, Mcineka, Dlamini (Zikhali 77′), Figureido (Bomela 77′), Mthembu (Mhlongo 46′), Mbuthuma, Sithebe (Buthelezi 46′), Ntsundwana (Gumede 46′).
AmaZulu: Ofori, Jooste, Hanamub, Fielies, Mphahlele, Motshwari, Brooks (Mbanjwa 71′), Ekstein (Haba 90′), Moremi (Mashigo 79′), Human (Sithole 90′), Ighodaro (Dion 78′).