Local clubs open season well in First Division

THE opening weekend of First Division football ended on a bright note for local teams after AmaZulu downed Black Leopards 2-1 at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu yesterday.

The result saw Usuthu join the three other local sides who went through Saturday’s action unbeaten. Newcomers to the division, Real Kings, drew the KwaZulu-Natal derby against Royal Eagles 1-1 in Pietermaritzburg, and Thanda Royal Zulu returned from Limpopo Province with a 2-1 win over Magesi FC.

A goal in each half helped Usuthu to a 2-0 lead yesterday before the visitors replied late in the game. Veteran striker Siyabonga Nomvethe gave AmaZulu the lead before the break, and in the 75th minute midfielder Lungelo Dlamini doubled the lead.

It marks a winning start to the Durban giant’s promotion campaign under Zimbabwean coach Joey Antipas, who made his competitive debut in South African football.

Before the league kick-off AmaZulu further strengthened their squad, roping in defender Vukile Mngqibisa and winger Augustine Ramphele on two-year deals. Mngqibisa, 28, boasts a fair amount of topflight experience with University of Pretoria, and Ramphele, 24, joins from Moroka Swallows, who were relegated to the third tier last season.

Kings’ entry was no less of an achievement.

The minnows took the game to big spenders Eagles and opened the scoring through Siphamandla Gumede before Raymond Monama equalised for the home outfit.

Thanda’s away positive start.

They had to come from behind, however, against the second division champions. Mhlengi Cele’s second-half strike cancelled Magesi’s first-half opener from Noah Maimela, before Innocent Maela slotted the winner. win is a