AmaZulu FC beat Richards Bay FC while Sekhukhune United and Polokwane City FC settled for a 0-0 draw in Betway Premiership matches played on Saturday evening.
At the Moses Mabhida Stadium, AmaZulu FC came into this one with a lot of sting following their 2-1 loss to Casric Stars in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals.
They desperately needed a confidence booster as they had also been winless in their last three Betway Premiership matches. They surged ahead after 27 minutes through Thabiso Kutumela, after a neat build-up that caught the Richards Bay defense off guard.
Richards Bay kept prodding for an equalizer, with some lively forward movements into the box. And their pressure finally paid dividends after 40 minutes, as Sanele Barns restored parity with a header from a cross that was whipped into the box by Thulani Gumede.
They went to the break deadlocked, and at that time the match was evenly balanced in terms of possession. When they returned from the break, Barns and Moses Mthembu remained a menace but goalkeeper, Olwethu Mzimela kept them at bay.
The two sides remained deadlocked at the hourmark but this time, Richards Bay were dominating while Usuthu sat back hoping to catch their opponents on the counter. Hendrick Ekstein scored AmaZulu FC’s winning goal on the 82nd minute, and it was enough to seal the win for Arthur Zwane’s side. They won 2-1.
SEKHUKHUNE UNITED, POLOKWANE CITY SHARE SPOILS
At the Peter Mokaba Stadium, Sekhukhune United and Polokwane City FC settled for a goalless stalemate in what was a lively encounter. Sekhukhune dominated the affair in the first half especially in terms of ball possession and how they applied themselves.
Bradley Grobler and Keletso Makgalwa had a series of chances but they failed to hit the target. On the other hand, Tholo Matuludi and Banele Mnguni created good chances but still could not break the deadlock.
Babina Noko returned from the break on fire, and Vuyo Letlapa had the first chance of the second half but he missed a sitter, failing to beat Lindokuhle Mathebula from close range.
With the draw, Sekhukhune United remained on third place with 34 points , while Polokwane City FC are fixated on seventh place on the log table with 29 points on their tally.
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