Zambia national team striker Augustine Mulenga scored the opening goal and put in a man-of-the-match performance as he guided Amazulu to a hard-fought 2-1 win over struggling Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs.
Mulenga and his Amazulu teammates on Wednesday afternoon visited the famous FNB Stadium for their second match in Johannesburg after a goalless draw with Moroka Swallows as they were looking to avenge the 1-0 they suffered in the reverse fixture.
After a cagey first half-hour, Augustine Mulenga tried one from long range only for it to ricochet off the crossbar and back into action. Mulenga however found the back of the net in the dying minutes of the first half with a rebound after the first shot had to be cleared off the line by Erick Mathoho, scoring his fourth goal of the season.
Chiefs were on the back foot for most of the match and only managed to register the first shot on target after the hour mark, Samir Nurkovic got on the end of a Reeve Frosler cross but the Serb’s header was stopped by Veli Mothwa at his near-post.
A few minutes later Nurkovic won a penalty after he was held back by Tapelo Xoki, Leonardo Castro stepped up to slot home sending Mothwa the wrong way and leveling matters from 12 yards out.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, Amakhosi were reduced to ten men as Darrel Matsheke received marching orders following a second bookable offense, both cards given after a foul on Mulenga who gave the Chiefs defense an afternoon to forget.
Usuthu capitalized on their one-man advantage and took the lead five minutes to time, Substitute Lehlohonolo Michael Majoro benefitted from an Itumeleng Khune blunder to slot home after the shot-stopper failed to deal with a corner kick, 2-1 the match ended.
Mulenga was voted as the man of the match for his impressive showing on the day. Lazarus Kambole was an unused substitute for Kaizer Chiefs.
The former Nkwazi and Zanaco winger has now taken his tally for the season to 4 goals in 15 appearances for Amazulu.
Last season he was only on target once in 12 appearances for Orlando Pirates in a troubled season for the sea robbers as he struggled for game time.
In the 2018/19 season he scored 2 goals in 23 appearances for Pirates in the league while in his debut season he averaged a goal every 2 games in his 6 appearances.
In Belgium, in form Fashion Sakala played for 73 minutes in Oostende’s 3-1 win on Wednesday night.
#DStvPrem – HALFTIME:
Chiefs 0-1 Amazulu
Augustine Mulenga opened up the scoring to hand Amazulu the lead against Kaizer Chiefs.
Watch live: https://t.co/bw5ULpVfPO#babizebonke pic.twitter.com/AOAV7IW4Ai
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) February 17, 2021
Full line-ups:
Chiefs XI: Khune, Ngezana, Cardoso (Blom 46′), Mathoho, Mphahlele ©️, Zulu, Matsheke, Mashiane (Manyama 16′) [Castro 62′], Ngcobo (Katsande 78′), Frosler, Nurkovic
Subs: Akpeyi, Sasman, Radebe, Parker, Kambole
AmaZulu XI: Mothwa, Gumede ©️, Mabiliso, Mgwazela (Mzava 59′), Xoki, Makhaula, Kewuti (Majoro 76′), Magubane (Maduna 83′), Mthembu (Ntuli 83′), Memela (Mlambo 60′), Mulenga
Subs: Mbatha, Masilela, Sikhakhane, Tshabalala
It’s avenge a loss and not ‘revenge’. Poor journalist acumen!