AmaZulu suffered an unfortunate 4-2 loss against Sekhukhune United in their latest Betway Premiership assignment at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night.
Usuthu commenced the game on the front foot and immediately put Sekhukhune under pressure from the first whistle. Then, in what was their first notable attempt at goal, AmaZulu took the lead in the 4th minute of the match with Etiosa Ighodaro getting his name on the scoresheet with a left-footed effort from the centre of the area.
Babina Noko actively searched for an equalizer after conceding early on, as seen in attempts by the likes of Keletso Makgwalwa and Katlego Otladisa. With AmaZulu under tense pressure midway through the first half, Sekhukhune equalized in the 24th minute after Andy Boyeli beat Richard Ofori in goal with a right-footed shot from close range.
The possession count was deadlocked after the 30th minute mark while the pace of the game slowed down en-route to the half-time whistle.
Nevertheless, neither side were able to take the lead thereafter and went into the break with the score tied at 1-1.
Despite AmaZulu’s lively start to the second 45, it was Sekhukhune who took the lead in the 53rd minute. After a swift move toward the Usuthu 18-yard-area, Makgalwa found himself in the right place at the right time to slot the ball home with a right-footed shot from the middle of the box.
Forced to apply pressure to the Sekhukhune backline, AmaZulu came close to levelling matters in the 68th minute after Elmo Kambindu’s header went slightly wide following a delivery by Ighodaro from a corner situation.
Moments after missing the mark from a headed attempt, Kambindu evened out the scoreline in the 76th minute. Following a direct attempt at the Babina Noko defence, Tshepang Moremi managed to find Kambindu with a telling ball inside the area who subsequently scored from close range.
Not holding back, Sekhukhune retook the lead for the second time of the match just five minutes after Kambindu’s effort as Linda Mntambo added his name to the scoresheet with a right-footed shot on the edge of the six-yard-area.
With wind in Sekhukhune’s sails, the home side scored their 4th goal in quick succession, with Mntambo completing his brace in the 86th minute.
Sekhukhune United: (1) 4 (Boyeli 24’, Makgalwa 53’, Mntambo 81’ 86’)
AmaZulu: (1) 2 (Ighodaro 4’, Kambindu 76’)
Sekhukhune United: Sangare, Mkhize, Yamba, Mohamme, Letlapa, Mokhuoane, Mbule (Mntambo 60’), Otladisa (Mokoane 60’), Mogaila, Makgalwa, Boyeli (Cardoso 72’)
AmaZulu: Ofori, Hanamub, Fielies, Mphahlele, Jooste (Radebe 75’), Motshwari, Ngema (Zungu 65’), Human (Kambindu 62’), Ekstein, Moremi, Ighodaro