AmaZulu (3) 4

Zuma 14’, Mphahlele 37’, Dion 43’, Ntuli 90+2’

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 0

Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane wants his players to put Friday evening’s defeat to AmaZulu behind them and take the lessons learnt into future performances.

Amakhosi went down 4-0 to Usuthu on a forgettable night at Moses Mabhida stadium for fans of the Black & Gold.

After a bright start on a humid Durban evening, Chiefs fell behind when former Glamour Boy, Dumisani Zuma, headed home George Maluleka’s 14^th minute corner.

Chiefs attacked from the restart and were awarded a penalty when Ashley Du Preez was manhandled inside the box. However, luck was not on Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana’s side as AmaZulu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa guessed correctly and saved the Burundian striker’s spot kick.

Eight minutes before half time, it was another former Chiefs player who doubled the hosts’ lead, almost in identical fashion to the opener. This time Ramahlwe Mphahlele met Maluleka’s corner to nod the ball into the net.

Moments later, Edmilson Dove under hit a back pass to Itumeleng Khune and Junior Dion nipped in to steal the ball and roll it into the goal.

Amakhosi came out for the second half determined to redeem their first half showing and had a number of chances to reduce the deficit. Substitute Kgaogelo Sekgota forced a world class save from Mothwa, while Nkosingiphile Ngcobo fired inches wide from the edge of the area.

Zwane sent on Wandile Duba for his senior debut and the young forward looked sharp and energetic. He almost scored after showing good composure inside the box but his on target shot was blocked by an outstretched boot.

With the clock deep in stoppage time, AmaZulu scored a fourth when substitute, Bonginkosi Ntuli finished off a counter attack as Chiefs pressed for a consolation goal.

The result sees Amakhosi remain in 4^th place on the DStv Premiership log, with 24 points from 16 matches.

Speaking after the match, Zwane said, “I think we put them on the back foot early on and had them under pressure but we conceded from a set piece that we should have defended better. Then we missed the penalty which would have changed the momentum of the game. We conceded form a dead ball situation again.”

Zwane intimated that the result might have flattered the hosts and felt that his team created enough of a threat to have made the scoreline closer.

“We were doing quite well but when the opposition make mistakes we don’t punish them. We had our chances; Caleb should have scored and then Mshini, Duba Dove and Sekgota also should have scored.

“Overall, we didn’t play that badly. We knew they would sit back but we just didn’t capitalise on our opportunities. We must improve our final third entry decision making but it’s something we’ll keep working on until we get it right,” said Zwane.

With a clash against Mamelodi Sundowns next up for Amakhosi, Zwane is already shifting his focus towards getting his team ready for the visit of the league leaders, “We learn from our mistakes and today we learned the hard way. I want to forget about this match as soon as possible, and move on, especially for the players,” he concluded.

Line-ups:

Chiefs XI: Khune (32); Kwinika (4), Dove (2), Mashiane (23), Frosler (39), Zwane (37), Maart (8), Nk Ngcobo (12), Du Preez (9), Shabalala (42), Bimenyimana (28)

Subs: Bvuma (44); Solomons (18), Mathoho (3), Ngezana (30), Matlou (22), Sithebe (6), Sekgota (14), Radebe (33), Duba (36),

Coach: Arthur Zwane

AmaZulu XI: Mothwa (44), Sikhakhane (5), Hanamub (14), Mphahlele (23), Mobara (2), Makhaula © (8), Maluleka (12), Ekstein (27), Qalinge (47), Dion (33), Zuma (15)

Subs: Mzimela (1), Mabiliso (42), Gumede (17), Malepe (4), Bwalya (50), Ndlovu (3), Maduna (10), Ntuli (7), Majoro (20)

Coach: Romain Folz