Eric Tinkler got his tenure as Durban City coach off to a rough start, as derby rivals AmaZulu FC claimed a 2-1 win in a Betway Premiership clash at the Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Usuthu strengthened their grip on third place on the log by claiming a sixth win from eight matches, as first-half goals from Mondli Mbanjwa and Athini Maqokola helped them overcome a Citizens team which suffered a third league defeat of the season and dropped to 11th place.
City made a promising start, including a dangerous cross from Samkelo Maseko which was just out of reach for striker Jean Lwamba, but AmaZulu claimed the lead in the eighth minute.
Mondli Mbanjwa found the back of the net for the visitors, stabbing an effort beyond the reach of goalkeeper Fredrick Asare after controlling Athini Maqokola’s cross from the right flank, 1-0.
The Citizens looked for a quick response and Ethan Brooks struck on target from outside the box in the 12th minute, but AmaZulu goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela was equal to the task.
It was then the turn of Asare to take centre stage, and he made several impressive saves through the remainder of the first half to keep the home side in the contest, denying the likes of Mbanjwa and Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya.
City then should have levelled the game in injury time before the break, with Bandile Shandu playing a great cross to pick out Lwamba, but the striker put his header over the target.
And the hosts were immediately punished, as Usuthu ensured a 2-0 lead at the interval when Athini Maqokola swept home a right-footed shot from Nkosikhona Radebe’s excellent assist down the right flank.
City made a double change at the start of the second half, throwing on Letsie Koapeng and Alou Doumbia in an effort to turn the match around. Yet AmaZulu almost netted a third shortly before the hour mark, with Taariq Fielies spotting Asare off his line and shooting from inside his own half – the defender’s excellent strike had the ‘keeper beaten all ends up, but rebounded off the crossbar.
A thrilling night of #BetwayPrem football comes to an end 🇿🇦⚽️ #SSDiski | #SSFootball https://t.co/Wqryj2Iowl
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 13, 2026
Another home side substitution paid dividends with just over a quarter hour of regulation time to play, as Haashim Domingo scored a fine strike directly from a free kick to bring the Citizens back in contention.
However, that strike would prove a mere consolation for the hosts, who were unable to force an equaliser against AmaZulu’s disciplined and determined defence. City's best chance was a diving header in injury time from Letsie Koapeng, but Mzimela came up with an excellent save, as well as a volley from Doumbia which flashed just wide.
Durban City will next play in the CAF Confederation Cup against AS Port Louis 2000 of Mauritius, while AmaZulu’s next Betway Premiership match is at home to another derby rival, Golden Arrows, on Saturday 31 October.
Durban City (0) 1 (Domingo 74’)
AmaZulu FC (2) 2 (Mbanjwa 8’, Maqokola 45+3’)
Durban: Asare, Shandu, Ncanana, Mkhize (Makua 71’), Mokone (Doumbia 46’), Poggenpoel, Jurgens (Domingo 71’), Brooks (Sanger 57’), Maseko, Sifumba, Lwamba (Koapeng 46’)
AmaZulu: Mzimela, Mthethwa, Allan, Fielies, Mdaka, Radebe, Hlangabeza, Maduna (Bern 87’), Mbanjwa (Ekstein 77’), Maqokola, Ngwenya (Mashigo 68’)