AmaZulu claim KZN derby bragging rights with victory over Royal AM
AmaZulu FC defeated Royal AM 3-0 to claim bragging rights in the KZN derby in the DStv Premiership at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday evening.
Mlondi Mbanjwa scored his first-ever goal for the club while Augustine Kwem bagged a brace to help the Durban-based side secure the maximum points.
AmaZulu made four changes from their previous line-up in a match against Cape Town Spurs. They started with Mbongeni Gumede, Mlondi Mbanjwa, Celimpilo Ngema and Kwem replacing Abbubaker Mobara, Tshepang Moremi, Ethan Brooks and Junior Dion.
On the other side, starting with the club’s chairman Andile Mpisane was the only change John Maduka made. He took off Sbusiso Magaqa who had started against Moroka Swallows last week.
This was his second appearance this season as he played two minutes when he came on from the bench in a match against Golden Arrows in July.
AmaZulu could have grabbed an early lead after Mzwandile Dlamini was caught in possession by Ben Motshwari. The ball went in Augustine Kwem’s way, however, he failed to capitalise as Hugo Nyame expertly stopped his attempt.
Usuthu seemed to be controlling the play inside the first ten minutes as they were looking to unlock the visitors. AM were keeping their bodies behind the ball, denying Pablo Franco Martin’s men a final pass.
It was in the 13th minute when Mbanjwa beat Nyame with a powerful finish on close range to put his side ahead by one goal. Thwihli Thwahla continued to struggle to find the rhythm and kept on losing possession recklessly.
Kwem grabbed a brace in a space of five minutes, scoring his first goal in the 27th minute before he rattled the second in the 32nd minute. AmaZulu were toying with them, moving the ball as in the training session.
The match reached the interval with the hosts leading 3-0.
Ayanda Jiyane and Ben Motshwari in the DStv Premiership match between AmaZulu and Royal AM at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Picture by Sandile MenelisiRoyal AM came back rejuvenated in the second half following the introduction of Magaqa. This was after Mpisane was subbed off having struggled in the first 45 minutes.
Maduka’s men made a lot of running as they sought to bounce back into the game. But moments later, AmaZulu started to pick up again creating forward movements. They were forcing the away side to stay in their half.
In the 64th minute, AM made three attack-minded changes looking to exert pressure on AmaZulu. They brought on Sabelo Sithole, Siphiwe Cele and Motebang Sera in the places of Dlamini, Thabo Matlaba and Kabelo Mahlasela.
Olwethu Mzimela, who had been free in the first half, was called into action after the substitute Cele unleashed a vicious shot outside the box. The young goalie parried the ball away to force the corner-kick that was thereafter defended well by AmaZulu.
In the 76th minute, Kwem wasted a clear-cut chance after he had been released by Mbanjwa with a through pass.
Mzimela continued to deny Royal AM a breakthrough making a few saves in the last ten minutes of the match. Usuthu held on until the final whistle from Thando Ndzandzeka.
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