Dikwena relegated after AmaZulu defeat

by Brian Lee

Wednesday Apr 25, 2018. 21:54

AmaZulu FC edged out Platinum Stars 2-1 in an Absa Premiership match at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Wednesday night.

Th win sees Usuthu move to eigth spot on the table standings, while Dikwena remained 16th and they were relegated to the National First Division (NFD).

Usuthu did well to contain the home side in the opening stages of the league encounter.

Siyabonga Mbatha, the AmaZulu defender, was called into action 14 minutes into the match.

The shot-stopper did well to deny Nyiko Tshabangu, who was looking to score for Stars from a free-kick.

Dikwena pressed Usuthu and they came close to breaking the deadlock through Luvolwethu Mpeta.

But the left-back was brilliantly denied by Mbatha, who was well-positioned to make a save in the 43rd minute.

The former Bloemfontein Celtic keeper also denied Bongi Ntuli to ensure that the first half ended goalless.

Usuthu continued to keep Dikwena at bay and they managed to take the lead just after the hour-mark.

Zimbabwe international Ovidy Karuru beat Stars keeper Mbongeni Mzimela to make it 1-0 to AmaZulu.

Mbatha then produced a fine save to deny Ntuli as the shot-stopper continued to frustrate the home side.

Usuthu then doubled their lead through super-sub Mlengi Cele, who scored to make it 2-0 with Karuru providing an assist with seven minutes left.

However, Letsie Koapeng pulled one back for Stars, but the goal proved to be a consolation goal as AmaZulu stood form at the back and ultimately, they won 2-1.

Stars (0) 1 (Koapeng 86')
AmaZulu (0) 2 (Karuru 61', Cele 83')

Stars: Mzimela, Mere, Sithole, Mkhabela, Mpeta (Norodien 72'), De Jongh, Mekoa, Gome, Tshabangu, Senne (Phiri Jr 69'), Ntuli (Koapeng 82').

AmaZulu: Mbatha, Mabiliso, Sikhakhane, Gumede P (Cele 65'), Nyongo, Ouro-Akoriko, Ncube, Mnguni, Ncobeni (Lumkwana 46'), Karuru, Khenyeza (Morton 71').