Staff Reporter.
Royal AM secured an emphatic 2-0 victory over their Durban rivals AmaZulu FC at Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday afternoon in the DStv Premiership.
The win elevated Thwihli Thwahla to the fifth spot on the league standings as they ended their five-match winless run across all competitions and they will now take on Maritzburg United on 15 January.
AmaZulu, meanwhile, slipped down to the 11th spot on the league table after their five-match unbeaten run in the league came to an end and they will be hoping to return to winning ways when they face Kaizer Chiefs on Friday.
Thwihli Thwahla were the better side in the opening stages with a lot of crosses being played into the Usuthu box. Ricardo Nascimento forced goalkeeper Veli Mothwa into a save with a header in the fifth minute.
The decision to play crosses into the AmaZulu box paid off in the 12th minute. Elias Pelembe delivered a quality cross which was headed home by Motebang Sera to hand Royal a well-deserved 1-0 lead.
The hosts pushed for their second goal of the match with Nascimento forcing Mothwa into a fabulous diving save from a free-kick in the 23th minute. Royal were leading 1-0 during the halftime break.
Thabo Qalinge and Lehlohonolo Majoro were introduced by coach Romain Folz prior to the start of the second half. However, Usuthu were struggling to keep their attempts on target and seriously test keeper Hugo Nyame.
Thwihli Thwahla looked dangerous on the counter-attack and they came very close to doubling their lead in the 67th minute. Sera cut inside from the left and he unleashed a thumping shot which hit the crossbar.
Folz’s counterpart, Abram Nteo introduced Menzi Masuku and Mxolisi Macuphu with eight minutes left. The duo combined to seal Royal’s 2-0 win in the 85th minute as Masuku’s cross was turned home by Macuphu from close range.