AmaZulu need Benni boost
BENNI McCarthy’s first task as AmaZulu boss will be to instill some confidence into the team after they lost 2-0 to Golden Arrows at Jonsson Kings Park yesterday.
Though Usuthu interim coach Allan Freese was in charge yesterday, McCarthy was in the stands along with AmaZulu chairperson Sandile Zungu, his brother Manzini Zungu, and AmaZulu club legend Siyabonga “Bhele” Nomvethe.
The presence of former Bafana Bafana striker Nomvethe will raise speculation that he could be set to serve as McCarthy’s assistant at the Durban-based club.
After a subdued opening 30 minutes of the game for both teams, Arrows started to exert their dominance by launching some attacking forays.
Michael Gumede had a good chance to put Arrows ahead in the 32nd minute, but struck his effort wide of the target. Just a few seconds later, Seth Parusnath, playing in a defensive midfield role, won a corner after causing some trouble for the AmaZulu defence.
Arrows were rewarded on the stroke of half-time as Sandile Khumalo recklessly handled the ball in the penalty area. Nduduzo Sibiya successfully converted the spot-kick. AmaZulu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa dived the right way, but could not reach the ball.
AmaZulu failed to threaten keeper Sifisi Mlungwana in the opening half. AmaZulu were simply unable to tread enough passes to attacking anchormen Augustine Mulenga and the in-form Luvuyo Memela.
Just four minutes after the break, Arrows doubled their lead as Velemseni Ndwandwe and Sibisi combined through good use of transition ball before the former slipped the ball beyond the reach of Mothwa.
AmaZulu’s desperate defending was once again on show in the 62nd minute as Thembela Sikhakhane brought down Pule Mmodi when the latter would have had a goal-scoring opportunity. The AmaZulu right-back was lucky to only earn a yellow card for his challenge.
“We made critical errors at crucial moments of the game. We did not put in enough effort. We were all over chasing the game. We did not put in enough effort and the discipline went out through the window,” said Freese.
Siphiwe Tshabalala made his first Premiership appearance in more than 900 days when AmaZulu introduced him as a substitute in the 82nd minute.
Apart from seeing the 36-yearold South African icon finally play again, there was not much else for AmaZulu fans to celebrate.