AmaZulu suffer derby defeat to 10-man United

AmaZulu’s winning streak came to and end as they suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to Maritzburg United in the historic first game played at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium.

As far as exciting football as concerned, the first half left a lot to be desired as neither team managed to fire on all cylinders, especially in front of goal.

In dark, gloomy and wet conditions, overall play was patchy.

With some rough challenges coming in on a regular basis, neither side found much rhythm, although it was AmaZulu who enjoyed more ball possession and more shots at goal.

The home team had the first chance when Sibusiso Hadebe struck a volley at Tashrique Goldman after 17 minutes, but the Maritzburg goalkeeper held on for a routine save.

The main talking point of the first half came in the 28th minute when Maritzburg defender Peter Petersen was red-carded after he pulled down Sibusiso Hadebe, who had been released on goal by a superb through ball by Dumisani Ngwenya.

Three minutes later Usuthu had arguably their best chance of the half when Nhlanhla Zwane crossed for Bradley Ritson, but under pressure, he sent a glancing header just wide.

The second half pretty much went the same way as the first, with little in the way of constructive, free flowing football.

The first serious action of the half came in the 67th minute when Maritzburg keeper Goldman did well to save at the feet of a goal-bound Ayanda Dlamini.

The only goal of the game was scored in the 71st minute when Fadlu Davids rose at the far post to head home James Madidilane’s free kick.

AmaZulu tried to mount a come-back, but for the most part they failed to trouble Goldman as the Team of Choice worked overtime to compensate for their numerical disadvantage.

A long range effort from Simphiwe Mkhonza which went straight at Goldman, and Bageta Dikulu’s miscued clearance, which came close to an own goal, and a couple of off target shots, were however all Usuthu had to show for their efforts.

TEAM LINE-UPS

AmaZulu: (4-4-2) Mzimela; Bukasa Kasongo, Mkhonza, Bishop, van Heerden; N. Zwane (Mokoro 74’), Biyela (S. Dlamini 59’), Ngxabi (A. Dlamini 50’), Hadebe; Ngwenya, Ritson

Maritzburg: (4-4-2) Goldman; Petersen, Dikilu, Hendricks, Ngwepe; Obada (Bester 55’), Phakathi, Madondo, Chivuta (Madidilani 33’); Aka (Nyatama 87’), Davids