FIVE OF THE BEST FOR AMAZING AMAZULU
TITLE chasing AmaZulu, emphatic 5-1 winners, roared a championship challenge as they rubbed Cape Town City’s noses in the lush Cape Town Stadium turf last night.
AmaZulu led 2-0 at the break and City’s first-half capitulation set the seal for a defeat which loomed large at just four minutes into second-half play.
The win secured AmaZulu’s second place and took them to just one point behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who are on 48 points after 23 games. AmaZulu have played 25 games.
City remained seventh.
After a tedious start, the game came to life in the ninth minute when AmaZulu capitalised through a goal by Zambian Augustine Mulenga. Twice in the build-up AmaZulu lost the ball, but each time recovered possession as City tried to mount attacks from deep.
Mulenga rifled his shot low past two defenders from outside the penalty box, forcing a full-length dive that was in vain by City goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh.
The goal signalled a change in the momentum over the next half hour when City enjoyed an overwhelming share of possession but lacked incision and impetus. On countless occasions, City lost the ball in the final third.
AmaZulu keeper Veli Mothwa dealt with several shots but none really threatened an equaliser and City had nothing to show for their domination.
City suffered another blow that saw them trail 2-0 four minutes before half-time after defender Tapelo Nyongo scored from the spot. Referee Victor Hlungwani had blown up Leeuwenburgh for a foul on Cape Town-born Luvuyo Memela. He broke clear of the opposition defence and was goal-bound with only Leeuwenburgh to beat, but he was upended.
Moments into the second half, AmaZulu took a commanding 3-0 lead thanks to a goal by Memela’s striking partner Lehlohonolo Majoro, a former City player.
Just past the hour mark, AmaZulu went further ahead through a penalty by Memela.
After City’s Fagrie Lakay scored a penalty, AmaZulu closed out the goal-fest through midfielder Siyethemba Sithebe.
The outcome marked a welcome return to the Mother City for AmaZulu mentor Benni McCarthy, who started his coaching career at City.