Usuthu come from behind to conquer Chilli Boys

AmaZulu dug deep from a goal behind to defeat Chippa United 2-1 in the DStv Premiership on Saturday afternoon at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Late drama in the fixture saw a red card being awarded to Chippa’s Roscoe Pietersen in a huge twist of events.

AmaZulu started off strong and pressed for possession constantly. However, it was clear that Chippa United had studied their play and did well to challenge them on the counter attack.

The first goal in the match came in the eighth minute through Sinoxolo Kwayiba for Chippa, as a goal attempt went off the crossbar and he finished from close range with the rebound. The goal was Kwayiba’s third in the last four league matches.

Usuthu continued to keep possession despite falling behind early, but their leaky defence had weaknesses as they kept being caught on the counter and would lose possession, leading to mistakes that almost cost them conceding once more.

It was a physical encounter, as both teams fought for the ball. During first half stoppage time, Augustine Mulenga’s corner found Ben Motshwari, but his shot was saved by Chilli Boys keeper Stanley Nwabali as Usuthu kept probing for the breakthrough.

Bienvenu Eva Nga had the opportunity to double the away team’s lead but was unlucky as Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Veli Mothwa recovered well after Ethan Brooks lost possession in the middle of the park.

Going into the second half with a one goal lead, Chippa had plenty of work to do as it was clear that AmaZulu were not going to back down easily. Despite being behind, the KZN team managed to keep the majority of the possession as they continued pushing for the equaliser.

Usuthu eventually recovered from having holes in their defensive play and started to attack more. The team finally found the back of the net through Tshepang Moremi's sublime overhead kick, with the help of Mulenga’s flicked on header in the box in the 65th minute.

AmaZulu were the stronger team from there and Junior Dion came close to scoring as well with a header but his effort went wide. Hendrick Ekstein also had a go in the 84th minute on the counter, but his powerful shot hit the crossbar and was denied.

During stoppage time, Usuthu tried their best to find the winner but their missed chances ended up haunting them as they failed to go ahead. However, a plot twist took place in the very last minute of stoppage time as Thabo Makhele fouled Celimpilo Ngema in the box and the referee awarded a penalty.

Chippa players protested to no avail as Ekstein prepared to take the spot kick. The attacking midfielder made no mistake and tucked the ball into the back of the net, giving AmaZulu the lead and all three points in Durban.

AmaZulu (0) 2 (Moremi 65’ Ekstein 90+7’ PEN)

Chippa United (1) 0 (Kwayiba 8’)

AmaZulu: V. Mothwa, T. Sikhakhane (W. Jooste 46’), R. Mphahlele, T. Fielies, R. Hanamub, E. Brooks (H. Ekstein 46’), B. Motshwari, C. Ngema, A. Mulenga (M. Mbanjwa 74’), V. Letsoalo (J. Dion 46’), T. Moremi (A. Chidi Kwem 82’)

Chippa United: S. Nwabali, S. Nhlapo, J. Chabalala, T. Makhele, S. Kammies, S. Kwayiba, B. Poggenpoel, G. Mosele (A. Magqwaka 32’ (R. Pietersen 70’)), C. Martin (R. Maarman 46’), S. Luthuli (K. Francis 46’), B. Eva Nga (E. Kambindu 46’)