AmaZulu FC marked their return to Betway Premiership action with a 2-0 victory over Siwelele FC at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon, spearheaded by a brace from Athini Maqokolo.
Usuthu were looking for redemption following their 1-0 home defeat to Polokwane City FC in their previous league outing before the November international FIFA break. The absence of key defender Keegan Allan necessitated a shift, with AmaZulu adopting a conventional back four rather than their customary three-centre-back formation.
Siwelele, conversely, entered the fixture high on momentum, having secured two consecutive league victories. However, the Bloemfontein side’s quest for a rare three-match winning streak was thwarted in Durban.
The 23-year-old Athini Maqokolo definitively announced his presence at Usuthu, netting a second-half double to claim all three points for his team. The two goals bring Maqokola’s season total to three goals. The Usuthu prospect is now building on his early contribution, which began with his first goal netted during the 3-2 Carling Knockout quarter-final defeat against Magesi FC.
SEKHUKHUNE DROP MORE POINTS DESPITE GAINING GROUND
The Dr Petros Molemela Stadium was the scene of the day’s second Betway Premiership clash, where Sekhukhune United once again surrendered points, held to a frustrating 1-1 stalemate by a resilient Marumo Gallants side.
The Limpopo side journeyed to the Free State in search of a crucial bounce-back result following a sudden dip in form. Babina Noko managed to snatch an early second-half lead in the 46th minute through Ellis Rammala, only for Gallants to reply in the 65th minute courtesy of yet another goal from the in-form Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo.
This result stretches Sekhukhune’s winless run to six games, marking an unprecedented decline following their impressive start to the season. Nevertheless, the single point gained proved crucial, elevating the Limpopo side up to third position. They move above Kaizer Chiefs, who possess two games in hand but are level on collected points [22].
In further changes across the league table, Gallants’ single point has seen them move two places up, from 12th to 10th position with 14 points. They replace Siwelele, who have now dropped to 11th place following their loss to AmaZulu.
Meanwhile, the Durban outfit has climbed to fifth.
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