Staff Reporter.
AmaZulu FC secured their second win of the 2021/22 DStv Premiership season when they edged past TS Galaxy 1-0 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Tuesday evening.
Usuthu were the better side in the opening stages with coach Benni McCarthy’s side whipping crosses into the opposition box for their prolific forward, Siphelele Mthembu.
Luvuyo Memela headed Siyethemba Sithebe’s cross into Augustine Mulenga’s path in the 11th minute and the Zambian winger beat goalkeeper Vasilije Kolak with a powerful shot, but the upright came to the hosts’ rescue.
AmaZulu continued to control the match and Mthembu connected with a delightful cross from Sithebe, but Pogiso Sanoka made a crucial goal-line clearance with Kolak well beaten just after the half-hour mark.
Galaxy then contained AmaZulu until match referee Victor Hlungwani blew the half-time whistle.
McCarthy introduced Bonginkosi Ntuli prior to the start of the second half and the bulky marksman was involved in the build-up to the only goal of the match, four minutes before the hour-mark.
Tercious Malepe cut inside after receiving a pass from Ntuli, before setting up Memela, who scored with a sublime curling shot to hand AmaZulu a 1-0 lead – making it two goals in as many domestic league games.
Galaxy tried to respond with a goal and Tshegofatso Nyama beat his marker before delivering a cross for Sinethemba Mngomezulu, whose header was cleared off the goal-line by Makhehlene Makhaula.
However, Galaxy were reduced to 10 players in the 71st minute after Sanoka, who is slowly building a reputation as a bad boy, was shown his second red card of the current season after making a reckless challenge on his marker.
The result means that Galaxy remains without a win and rooted to the bottom of the standings. They had to make do without the services of key player Ethan Brooks due to injury. Sanoka also earned his second red-card of the season deep into the second half.
The Rockets now have to prepare for an away trip to Maritzburg United on Saturday afternoon.
While AmaZulu will now have to aim to do something few are able to and down TP Mazembe in their own home turf on Saturday in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round second leg in Congo.