Debutant Nguzane gives Usuthu win

Lucky Nguzana scored on debut as AmaZulu edged out Polokwane City 1-0 in Absa Premiership encounter at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Wednesday night.

The former Lamontville Golden Arrows came on as a second half substitute but he made his impact count by scoring the winner in added time.

The hosts dominated play in the opening minutes and final fired their first shot in the 7th minute as Bongani Ndulula sent his effort wide of the target.

Five minutes later Esau Kanyenda set the ball up for Sandile Sibande outside the box, but the latter blasted his shot over the crossbar.

Usuthu came close to finding the opener in the 19th minute when Njabulo Manqana delivered a pinpoint cross to find Ndulula at the near post, but his header was deflected over the crossbar by a defender.

Manqana continued to cause problems for the visitors and in the 32nd minute Modiri Marumo was forced to punch away a dangerous corner from Manqana, who had switched to the right flank.

City almost broke the deadlock against the run of play seven minutes later when AmaZulu failed to clear the lines, allowing Galabgwe Moyana to drag his shot just wide from the left side of the box.

The away side fired a shot on target in the 45th minute but Maxwell Molala’s low strike lacked the pace and direction to trouble Philani Zikalala.

Usuthu threatened again four minutes into the second half but Ayanda Dlamini was denied by a desperate clearance by a defender at the far post after the goalkeeper had failed to cut a low cross from Manqana.

City then broke forward moments later and Thabo Rakhale’s cross fell for Thobani Mncwango on the left side of the box, but his shot was saved by Zikalala at the near post.

Craig Rosslee’s side had a great chance in the 60th minute when Ayanda Dlamini headed the ball into the path of Goodman Dlamini on the right side of the box, but he rushed his shot wide.

Five minutes later Marc Van Heerden went on a great run on the left before finding Goodman Dlamini, who then set the ball for John Arwuah on the edge of the box, but his low shot went just wide of the post.

Both sides continued to search for the winner but Goodman Dlamini shot straight at the goalkeeper in the 71st minute, while Moyana dragged his shot wide at the other end three minutes later.

Gamildien then saw his goalbound freekick deflected over the crossbar in the 89th minute but Usuthu eventually got the breakthrough as Nguzana volleyed home from just inside the penalty area to hand his side maximum points.

AmaZulu (0) 1 (Nguzana 90+1’)
Polokwane City 0

AmaZulu: Zikalala, Horaeb, Van Heerden, Nyadombo, Teyise, Madondo, Arwuah (Gamildien 67’), Manqana (Mthiyane 78’), Dlamini G, Dlamini A, Ndulula (Nguzana 69’)

City: Marumo, Mthimkhulu, Lichaba, Mngqibisa, Tshilo, Sibande, Molala, Moyana, Kanyenda (Nzimande 86’), Mncwango, Rakhale (Jembula 63’)