Chilli Boys turn up the heat on Amazulu
AMAZULU were humbled at home by Chippa United after falling to a 2-1 defeat at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban yesterday.
Usuthu gave away a penalty inside 10 minutes, which was converted by Roscoe Pietersen. The spot-kick came after Ramahlwe Mphahlele handled the ball in the box.
A few minutes later, Riaan Hanamub looked to draw Usuthu level, but his shot was saved by Lloyd Kazapua. Things could have got worse for Amazulu in the 20th minute, when Andile Mbenyane floated a ball towards Siphelele
Luthuli, but goalie Veli Mothwa intercepted the pass.
Amazulu’s best chance to launch a comeback came after 30 minutes. A mistake from Chilli Boys defender Abdi Banda saw Augustine Kwem win the ball in a promising position. Pietersen subsequently cleared the follow-up shot by Dumisani Zuma.
Amazulu were dealt a further blow late in the half when Azola Matrose doubled the lead for Chippa after rounding Mothwa.
Amazulu, utilising a 4-3-3 formation, simply had an off day. They would have been expecting to have the upper hand against a Chilli Boys side which recently sacked coach Daine Klate, and has been playing poorly in the league so far this season.
Instead, Brandon Truter’s men struggled to break down the Chilli Boys, who opted for 4-4-1-1 tactics.
Chippa were forced to make a change early in the second half, when Trevor Mathiane replaced Banda.
Amazulu scored in second-half stoppage time through Veluyeke Zulu, but Chippa held out to secure a muchneeded and morale-boosting win.
Usuthu will next be in action against Mamelodi Sundowns next Sunday afternoon. Chippa next host fellow strugglers Marumo Gallants at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.