AmaZulu FC thrashed their KwaZulu-Natal rivals Royal AM 3-0 in a DStv Premiership game played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday evening.
The impressive victory elevated Usuthu to the seventh spot on the league standings and they will be away to Stellenbosch FC on 13 February as local football resumes after the Afcon break.
FULL-TIME:@AmaZuluFootball 3-0 @RAMFC_sa#DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/yGggFrdM8a
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) December 29, 2023
Royal, on the other hand, remained 13th on the league standings after their three-match unbeaten run came to an end and they are set to host Cape Town Spurs on 14 February after the break.
Usuthu dominated the game from the first whistle and they deservedly took the lead in the 13th minute when Mondli Mbanjwa scored to make it 1-0 to AmaZulu after being set up by the experienced Wayde Jooste.
Eventual Man of the Match Mbanjwa was a constant threat to the Thwihli Thwahla defence and he grabbed an assist in the 27th minute as he set up Augustine Chidi Kwem who made it 2-0 to AmaZulu in the 27th minute.
Royal, who had handed their chairman Andile Mpisane his full local top-flight debut, were struggling to contain Usuthu's attackers.
The visitors conceded again in the 32nd minute as Kwem netted with a close-range finish to extend AmaZulu's lead, and the hosts were leading 3-0 at halftime.
HALF-TIME ⏰ | #DStvPremiership 🏆
— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) December 29, 2023
We're in the driving seat of this one. A goal by Mbanjwa and two from Kwem have given Usuthu an unassailable lead over Royal Andile Mpisane FC.#AmaZuluFC 3⃣ ➖ 0⃣ Royal AM#Indlulamithi#HebeUsuthu#UsuthuTogether pic.twitter.com/KSElEgC3hm
Thwihli Thwahla pushed for a goal after the restart and substitute Hopewell Cele had a chance to score in the 68th minute, but the youngster was denied by goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela who was keen to keep a clean sheet.
Mzimela then denied Menzi Masuku in the 76th minute as he kept the visitors at bay.
The 22-year-old also gathered a header from Sera Motebang in the 82nd minute to ensure that AmaZulu emerged as 3-0 winners.
AmaZulu (3) 3 (Mbanjwa 13', Kwem 27', 32')
Royal (0) 0
AmaZulu XI: Mzimela, Gumede, Mphahlele, Fielies, Hanamub; Jooste (Zulu 86'), Mbanjwa (Brooks 88'), Motshwari, Ngema; Ekstein (Human 73'), Kwem (Ndlovu 86').
Royal AM: Nyame, Shezi (Sithole 64'), Manganyi, Jiyane, Matlaba (Motebang 64'), Mahlasela, Dlamini (Cele 64'), Mpisane (Magaqa 46'), Masuku (Thikazi 77'), Mogaila, Machupu.