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1st half brace for Mkhwanazi
05/03/2008 22:21 - (SA)
Johannesburg - AmaZulu claimed an important 2-1 win over KwaZulu-Natal rivals Thanda Royal Zulu in the Absa Premiership on Wednesday evening.
A first half double from striker Siyabonga Mkhwanazi was enough for Clive Barker's team to claim all three points in Durban, although they did have to weather a late storm after Ryan Botha had pulled one back in the 79th minute.
The result sees Usuthu move into mid-table, while Thanda are slipping ever closer to the dreaded relegation zone.
AmaZulu got off the perfect start when Mkhwanazi's low drive beat Aime Kitenge and opened the scoring after just four minutes.
Thanda came within inches of a quick reply, as Serge Djiehoua rattled the upright in the ninth minute.
Mkhwanazi had the chance to put Usuthu two goals up just past the midway point of the first half, but his shot went wide of goal. A few minutes later Dumisani Ngwenya tested Kitenge with a shot but the 'keeper did well to block the shot.
However, in the 33rd minute Pere Airweriyai picked out Mkhwanazi with a cross and the striker doubled his side's lead with a fine header.
Thanda were 2-0 down at half-time and coach Roger Palmgren responded by throwing Kateho Loke and Emmanuel Ngobese into the fray.
The duo did have an impact on play, with Ngobese testing Kallilo Kakonje with a 20-yard shot in the 54th minute, but Amabhubesi struggled to break down the resilient AmaZulu rearguard.
Finally, with just over ten minutes of regulation time left, Botha halved the deficit when he turned home Loke's left flank cross.
Substitute Patrick Mayo brought out a good save from Kakonje with his 18-yard drive in the 82nd minute, as Thanda looked to pile on the pressure, but Usuthu held out to secure their seventh league win.
- SuperSport
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