Ntuli inspires AmaZulu to victory over Stellies

AmaZulu FC secured a 2-0 win over Stellenbosch FC in an Absa Premiership match at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Wednesday night.

The victory took Usuthu to the 12th spot on the league standings, while Stellies slipped down to the 13th place.

Usuthu were the better side in the early stages of the match and they had a chance to score through their striker Andre de Jong.

The New Zealand international’s effort was easily saved by Stellenbosh goalkeeper Boy de Jong as the hosts pushed for the opening goal.

However, AmaZulu's early pressure paid off when they were awarded a penalty which was converted by Bonginkosi Ntuli to make it 1-0 to the hosts in the 14th minute.

The home side searched for more goals with promising Ghanaian central midfielder Sammy Darpoh pulling the strings in midfield.

Darpoh tried his luck from range a few minutes before the half-hour mark, but his effort missed the target without troubling Boy de Jong in the visitors' goal-posts.

The Dutch shot-stopper then produced a decent save to deny Siyethembe Sithebe heading into the halftime break and AmaZulu were leading 1-0 at the interval.

The hosts continued to dominate after the restart and they had a chance to double their lead through Lehlohonolo Majoro.

Sithebe set up Majoro, but the experienced striker's second touch allowed Boy de Jong to come out and clear the threat as the hour-mark approached.

AmaZulu head coach Jozef Vukusic was forced to make a change when Phumlani Gumede went down injured and he was replaced by Mbongeni Gumede.

Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Ryan Moon was introduced by Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker as the visitors looked to snatch a late equalising goal.

However, Ntuli had other ideas as he sealed AmaZulu's 2-0 win over Stellenbosch after being set up by Majoro in stoppage time.

AMAZULU (1) 2 (Ntuli 14', 90'+2)

STELLENBOSCH 0

AMAZULU: Mbatha, Morton (Vilakazi 71'), P.Gumede, Xoki, Booysen, Maduna, Darpoh, Sithebe, De Jong (Ncobeni 45'), Majoro, Ntuli.

STELLENBOSCH: De Jong, Mobbie, Van Heerden, Goede, Mthethwa (Moon 69'), Johannes, Zungu, Moroole (Franco 46'), Bergman (Skelem 46'), Isaacs, Rayners