USUTHU ON FIGHTBACK TRAIL
AMAZULU still have many rivers to cross, but they are doing a great job of swimming against the relegation current.
They are still far from reaching the promised land of safety but with each game, they are going some way towards making sure their Premier Soccer League fate will be in their own hands.
Their fightback continued with a superb 3-1 win over Bidvest Wits at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday evening, which was their first win over the Students in five attempts.
What has been interesting is AmaZulu’s suddenly insatiable appetite for goals, as they have scored nine in their last three fixtures.
Usuthu coach Steve Barker found it difficult to suppress a smile after the match, the one thing he has not been able to afford since he joined the club.
The coach knows their rescue mission is far from complete, and keeping clean sheets is also one of his priorities.
“We showed great heart, great unity and great togetherness as a team and defended the lead we had,” Barker said. “However, it is important that we understand we have a long way to go and we need more of these performances. ”
Wits coach Gavin Hunt was typically less than happy, but it seems his team are replaying the 20132014 tape where they are losing steam at a critical time of the sea- son. They have not been the same clinical selves since their CAF Confederation Cup exit, even though they found the energy to check Mamelodi Sundowns’ league aspirations last week.
The grumpy Hunt does not give credit very easily, but he praised AmaZulu’s bravery and laid into his players for not being up to the task.
Wits have dropped six crucial points in their last two matches that may have ended their league challenge.
“I didn’t think that we lost the game, we lost the fight and we have got to give AmaZulu credit.”