Sekhukhune United kept up their strong form in the Betway Premiership with a 2-0 away win over AmaZulu FC at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Wednesday evening.
Babina Noko claimed the victory thanks to a strike late in the first half from Andy Boyeli and a late second from Linda Mntambo, with the result keeping them an impressive fourth on the log and securing a haul of 10 points from the last 12 up for grabs.
As for Usuthu, this seventh loss of the season leaves them in 12th place – five points clear of the relegation playoff zone.
FULL TIME ‼️
— Sekhukhune United F.C. (@SekhukhuneFc) January 8, 2025
⏰9⃣0⃣'+ 5⃣
Well done Lads👏👏👏@AmaZuluFootball 0⃣-2⃣ Sekhukhune United FC
🦔🦔🦔#Adibahlabe #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/WCC6D2rB8B
The teams struggled to find their rhythm on a sodden pitch for the opening quarter of the match, with neither goalkeeper called upon to make any significant contributions.
On the half-hour mark, Sekhukhune’s Lesedi Kapinga had the first notable shot, letting fly from long range with an effort which required AmaZulu goalkeeper Richard Ofori to make a smart, if comfortable save.
Less than a minute later, Hendrick Ekstein almost put the hosts ahead, shooting narrowly wide from just inside the penalty area after being teed up by Rowan Human.
Babina Noko claimed the lead in the final minute of regulation time in the first half, as a clever touch from Kapinga allowed Andy Boyeli to drive into a shooting position, hold off a defender and provide a crisp low finish past the left hand of Ofori.
Usuthu waited until just before the hour mark to make changes, with Bongani Zungu and Mondli Mbanjwa introduced, and Sekhukhune responded quickly with a trio of substitutions which saw Chibuike Ohizu, Linda Mntambo and Relebogile Mokhuoane sent on.
Despite both teams shuffling their pack, chances were hard to come by. The only true scoring opportunity in regulation time went the way of AmaZulu’s Zungu, who nodded an effort on target on 82 minutes for what he thought was a goal on league debut, but he was denied by a stunning recovery save from Badra Ali Sangare.
The visitors were able to add a second goal deep in added time, catching AmaZulu on the break as Mntambo squeezed a shot past Ofori to wrap up a 2-0 triumph.
The teams will return to Betway Premiership action this coming weekend, with AmaZulu away to Magesi FC on Saturday, and Sekhukhune visiting SuperSport United on Sunday.
AmaZulu FC 0
Sekhukhune United (1) 2 (Boyeli 45’, Mntambo 90+5’)
AmaZulu: Ofori, Jooste, Mphahlele (Mobara 80’), Fielies, Hanamub, Motshwari, Human (Mbanjwa 57’), Moremi, Ekstein (Brooks 72’), Ngema (Zungu 57’), Ighodaro
Sekhukhune: Sangare, Mkhabela, Yamba, Cardoso, Letlapa, Mkhize, Monare (Mokhuoane 60’), Makgalwa (Rammala 69’), Kapinga (Mntambo 60’), Otladisa (Mokoena 74’), Boyeli (Ohizu 60’)