Coach Romain Folz got his first-ever win in the DStv Premiership as his AmaZulu side defeated Stellenbosch FC 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.
DStv Premiership
Result: AmaZulu 1-0 Stellenbosch
Date: 30 October 2022
Venue: King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium
With the MTN8 final on the horizon, Usuthu were without striker Gabadinho Mhango but were bolstered by the return of Makhehleni Makhaula and Abbubaker Mobara, who both missed the goalless draw against Marumo Gallants.
Stellies, meanwhile, made three changes from their loss against SuperSport United, as Ibraheem Jabaar, Jayden Adams and Devon Titus were all recalled.
The game got off to a bright start and Sinethemba Mngomezulu had a good chance to break the deadlock for Stellies on 22 minutes after going through on goal but he was denied by goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.
It took a moment of individual brilliance for AmaZulu to take the lead on the half-hour mark after Rally Bwalya unleashed a rocket from range that gave goalkeeper Sage Stephens no chance.
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Stellies threatened to pull themselves level as Mngomezulu had another chance just before the interval from a corner but his header was smothered by Mothwa.
Chances were hard to come by for both sides early in the second stanza and Folz looked to protect the lead with a defensive change just before the hour-mark, as Mbongeni Gumede replaced Msindisi Ndlovu.
Stellies, also brought fresh the legs of Judas Moseamedi in place of Mngomezulu upfront but things were not going their way in terms of carving out opportunities.
Folz made his intentions clear in the closing stages as he reinforced his defence with the introduction of Veluyeke Zulu in place Bwalya.
Usuthu were happy to sit back in numbers towards the end as the visitors looked for the equaliser and Glen Hahn almost got it in the last minute with a header in the box that missed by a whisker from a cross by Dean van Rooyen.
AmaZulu held on in the end to move up to seventh on the log ahead of their MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates next weekend.
Here's how they lined up:
AmaZulu: 44. Mothwa, 5. Sikhakhane, 14. Hanamub, 23. Mphahlele, 8.Makhaula, 36. Kunene, 50. Bwalya, 18. Brooks, 9. Kwem, 3. Ndlovu.
Subs: 38. Amonome, 24. Zulu, 42. Mabiliso, 17. Gumede, 4. Malepe, 45. Buchanan, 12. Maluleka, 10. Maduna, 15. Zuma.
Stellenbosch: 17. Stephens, 5. Sibiya, 38. Makhanya, 10. Mendieta, 8. Nduli, 27. Jabaar, 23. Adams, 6. Mthethwa, 34. Titus, 37. Mngomezulu, 7. Van Rooyen.
Subs: 35. Langeveldt, 26. Mcaba, 3. Letsoenyo, 20. Moseamedi, 4. De Goede, 16. Hahn, 29. Van Wyk, 12. Mgaga, 14. Likuta.
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