Usuthu back with a bang!

AmaZulu scored an impressive, and much-needed 2-1 win over Moroka Swallows at the Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Bar the final 10 minutes, this was a game which AmaZulu dominated and could well have won by an even larger score-line.

It was all Usuthu in the first half as they attacked constantly, keeping Swallows on the back foot throughout.

In fact, AmaZulu had 13 shots in the first stanza, and by far dominated the ball possession as well.

Sibusiso Hadebe had the first decent chance for Neil Tovey’s side, but blazed wide of goal from just inside the box, on the left hand side.

Five minutes later Ntokozo Sikhakane connected nicely with a first time volley, but the ball flew straight at Birds keeper Greg Etafia.

Then, in the 17th minute, Myrone Shongwe came close when he reacted quickest after Etafia had dropped an aerial ball, but his shot flew inches past the upright.

The pressure continued to come from AmaZulu as Dumisani Ngwenya fired in a long range effort and then Myrone Shongwe headed a cross from Marc van Heerden over the cross bar.

Finally, the deadlock was broken in injury time when skipper Pere Ariweriyai struck with a superb volley, showing great technique to fire home from 25-yards out after Etafia had punched a cross clear.

Things got even better after the break when Tsweu Mokoro, who was having a lively début pulled the ball back for Sikhakane, who scored with a scorching shot past Etafia at the near post.

More chances soon arrived for the home side as Sikhakane had a header blocked at the back post, following a good cross from Ngwenya, who came close himself when after a storming run in to the box, his shot struck Etafia’s legs.

In the 72nd minute Etafia made another breathtaking save to push Ngwenya’s goal-bound curling shot round the post.

AmaZulu were made to endure an anxious final 10 minutes when Swallows pulled a goal back through Morgan Shivambu, who arrived unmarked in the box to head home Lefa Tsutsulupa’s free kick.

However, Usuthu were able to hold on for the vital win, having to also survive a goalmouth scramble in the dying seconds of the match.

Swallows: Etafia, Rancan (Botha 60'), Shivambu, Hendricks, Kobola, Ritchie, Denge, Alves (Ndlela 69'), Vilakazi (Haschick 79'), Radebe