AmaZulu started their CAF Champions League group stage campaign with a 1-0 loss at the hands of Raja Casablanca on Saturday evening.
Result: Raja Casablanca 0-1 AmaZulu
Date: 12 February 2022
Venue: Stade Mohammed
Usuthu made three changes to the side that narrowly lost against Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup, as new signing Abbubaker Mobara was given his debut in the line-up alongside recalls for Thabo Qalinge and Thembela Sikhakhane.
Raja were threatening with aerial balls in the opening exchanges, as Marouane Hadhoudi had a header in the 14th minute that came off the post from Mohsine Moutouali's cross.
The sides cancelled each other after that and it took up until the closing minutes of the first stanza for clear chances, as AmaZulu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa pulled off a great save to deny Kadima Zrida, who was clear on goal in a one-on-one.
Makhehlene Makhaula also came close to breaking the deadlock for Benni McCarthy's charges on the stroke of halftime with a cracking strike in the box that rattled the post.
Usuthu had a bright start in the second stanza but they were not clinical in front of goal and McCarthy introduced new signing Abraham Majok on the hour-mark in place of Bonginkosi Ntuli upfront.
However, the Moroccan giants had the upper hand after that and Moutouali eventually broke the deadlock for the visitors in the 67th minute with a strike through the legs of Mothwa after exchanging passes with Zakaria El Wardi in the box.
McCarthy made a tactical change in the last quarter of an hour, as Luvuyo Memela replaced Mobara and Usuthu had the attacking momentum as a result in the latter stages but the Green Eagles were resilient at the back and held on for maximum points in Group B.
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Sikhakhane, Gumede, Xoki, Malepe, Qalinge, Mobara, Makhaula, Cessay, Ntuli, Mulenga.
Subs: Amonome, Khumalo, Zulu, Mgwazela, Moremi, Memela, Mlambo, Buchanan, Majok
