Amazulu are finding life in the big league tough. Usuthu made their debut in the CAF Champions League with a less than impressive result. The team lost its opening game of the competition with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Nyasa Big Bullets. The Malawian side finished the game with ten men but held on to their lead for a victory.
Last season, the team’s gaffer Benni McCarthy talked tough, boasting they would do better than the 2021 CAF Champions League losing finalists Kaizer Chiefs.
On Friday evening, Amazulu kicked off their CAF Champions League campaign with a first-leg loss in the preliminary round.
Lehlohonolo Majoro led the line for Usuthu while Kgotso Moleko got his first start for the side. Siphelele Mthembu and Siyethemba Sithebe couldn’t break into the starting lineup as they found their place on the bench.
It was a lively start with the hosts feeling hard done over the referee’s failure to award them a penalty in the opening 15 minutes. The referee chose to award a freekick outside the box, despite Usuthu claiming the foul inside the box.
The home side couldn’t make their early dominance count and fell to a 27th-minute goal. Bullets scored the game’s only goal after a mix-up at the rear that allowed Nickson Nyasulu fire home.
Bullets’ Yamikani Fodya received his marching orders for a reckless challenge. The red card came after the visitors hit the woodwork.
Amazulu searched for the equalizer in the second half but failed to make their numerical advantage count. It was a long evening for Usuthu as they failed to turn their dominance into clear cut chances early on.
With time running out, Benni McCarthy threw in Keagan Buchanan, Mthembu and Sithebe as they desperately searched for a goal.
The game finished at a blistering pace, with Malepe blasting a shot over the bar after a neat passing move. Usuthu was denied a goal minutes later after Buchanan’s shot came off the woodwork.
Another penalty appeal was dismissed as the visitors held on for the win.