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AmaZulu’s new head coach, Benni McCarthy, and club boss, Sandile Zungu, seem to be a perfect fit and are driven by the need to succeed. Image: Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images
Benni mccarthy scored his first game in the Amazulu bench with a 3-1 victory over Chippa united in a DStv Premiership clash at Kings Park Stadium on Sunday.
Having been appointed as Usuthu’s new head coach earlier in the week, McCarthy sat in the stands for the 2-0 loss to Golden Arrows on Wednesday.
The home team seemed inspired by the presence of the former Bafana forward Bafana closer to the action with a double by Luvuyo Memela and Augustine Mulenga securing all three points.
It wasn’t the best start to the game for McCarthy and his charges as they fell behind in the 14th minute to a goal from Isaac Nhlapo.
Nhlapo pounced after Amazulu’s defense failed to tackle a Chippa corner and, after a pin-ball in the penalty area, the defender hit home a good shot.
Usuthu, however, bounced back quickly and struck back with two goals four minutes apart to go to the front.
In the 24th minute, Amazulu leveled after Siphelele Mthembu slipped down the right side and found Mulenga with a low cross that had an easy finish. Just four minutes later, a nice set-up play from Usuthu saw Mthembu holding the ball before finding Mulenga, who provided the assist for Luvuyo Memela to finish and give the hosts the lead.
The game turned around ten minutes into the second half, when Chippa should have tied, but Amazulu came up the other side and duly scored to open a decisive two-goal cushion.
Amazulu goalkeeper Siyabonga Mbatha brilliantly parried a Tebogo Qinisile header in the 55th minute, before Usuthu produced a brilliant counterattack that saw Chippa’s attacker Ayanda Mtshali run off but was unable to clear his lines allowing Mulenga to cross for Memela will complete her double.
Mbatha again saved after a good low shot from Bienvenu Eva Nga as the Chilli Boys tried to return to the game.
In the end, though, Amazulu managed his second win in eight league games this season and gave McCarthy a winning start to his tenure.
Chippa’s struggles continued as they sit 14th at the PSL table and have only won once this season.
– TEAMtalk Media
