Staff Reporter.
AmaZulu showed fortitude to thrash Nyasa Big Bullets and claim a well-deserved 3-1 win at the Bingu National Stadium in Malawi on Saturday
The result meant that Usuthu won the two-legged playoff 3-2 on aggregate after losing the first leg 1-0 in Durban last week.
AmaZulu joined their PSL rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns in the second round with the Tshwane giants having been given a bye in the first round.
Usuthu will now take on DR Congolese giants TP Mazembe next month and the winner on aggregate will advance to the group stage.
Usuthu’s goals came via a brace from striker Bongi Ntuli while veteran Siphelele Mthembu who looked dangerous for his side throughout the game, fittingly completed the rout in the second half.
The Durban boys took the lead after just four minutes as they were awarded a penalty following a handball from the home side in the fourth minute. Ntuli stepped up and slotted home successfully.
Just seven minutes later, Ntuli notched his brace as a pass from Mthembu found its way towards him before he slotted the ball home.
Usuthu received a slight scare in the 25th minute as key player and goalkeeper Veli Mothwa was in pain and received attention from the medical team but was back on his feet soon.
As they were two goals down, Big Bullets appeared to throw men up front given that they had as many as four strikers utilised in the early parts of the second half.
Bullets scored in the 50th minute via a free kick from Henry Kabuchi.
Mthembu then scored a beautiful goal inside the box in the 55th minute. He was set-up by Ntuli who had been played in by Luvuyo Memela.
Thabo Qalinge was the engine for Usuthu in the game from midfield, stringing together neat passes and was arguably the best player in the game.
Usuthu will next be in action when they play in a Durban derby against city rivals Golden Arrows at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont on Wednesday afternoon.