AmaZulu fall to narrow defeat in Umlazi

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Apr 06, 2019. 23:01

AmaZulu fell to a 1-0 Absa Premiership defeat to Chippa United at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Saturday evening.

Andile Mbenyane scored the only goal of the game to lead the Chilli Boys to victory and up out of the relegation zone. Defeat leaves Usuthu in 11th spot on the log standings, two places above Chippa and a mere two points clear of the relegation zone.

Following a lively start that included notable chances at either end of the pitch for Thabo Rakhale and Bongi Ntuli respectively, it would be the visitors to open the scoring.

Mbenyane latched onto a pin-point cross from teammate Kurt Lentjies, nodding the ball into the corner of the net, leaving Usuthu shot-stopper Siyabonga Mbatha with no chance as the visitors hit the front.

AmaZulu improved after falling a goal behind and went close to levelling matters on the stroke of half-time. Bongi Ntuli pounced onto a loose ball inside the area, but the forward could only succeed in dragging his attempt wide of goal.

Siyethemba Sithebe had portions of the home fans on their feet in the 73rd minute as his powerful effort from a tight angle crashed into the side-netting.

That, though, is how close AmaZulu would come to conjuring a point as Chippa held on for the win.

AmaZulu FC (0) 0

Chippa United (1) 1 (Mbenyane 25')

AmaZulu: Mbatha; M.Gumede, Mabiliso, Ouro-Akoriko, Nyongo (Van Heerden 33'), Morton, Ncube, Vilakazi (Karuru 69'), Sithebe, Chawapihwa, Ntuli (Cele 74').

Chippa United: Mzimela; Macheke, Nsabiyumva, Shitolo, Tlolane, Lentjies (Klate 82'), Komane, Rakhale, Mayambela (Twala 76'), Mbenyane, Manzini (Malama 67').