AmaZulu continued their impressive run in the DStv Premiership this season with a 2-1 win over TS Galaxy on Saturday evening.
The win cut Mamelodi Sundowns’ lead at the top of the standings to three points after Lehlohonolo Majoro’s first half goals gave them the ascendancy before they conceded a late penalty goal by Lindokuhle Mbatha.
Sibusiso Mabiliso, Luvuyo Memela and Majoro returned back to the starting XI for Benni McCarthy while Galaxy made several changes from their last outing.
The hosts started brightly and could have taken the lead in the fourth minute after Mabiliso’s effort from inside the area was saved by shot-stopper Marlon Heugh.
Benni McCarthy’s charges continued to dominate their visitors and three minutes after the half-hour mark, their dominance paid off. Majoro smashed home the opener after some great work by Memela to set up the veteran.
The second goal for AmaZulu came before the break through Majoro again, finishing off a rebound after Heugh parried away Sphesihle Maduna’s header onto his path. The two-goal lead was taken into the halftime break.
In a bid to salvage something from the game, the Rockets made a double change at half-time in a reshuffle at the back, as Spiwe Msimango came on for Gaona Modisane while Marks Munyai replaced Sanoka.
Clearly, AmaZulu had done the job early and were glad to concede possession to the visitors but efforts on goal were missing for them.
In added time, the Rockets were awarded a penalty after Butholezwe Ncube brought down Lindokuhle Mbatha in the box. Mbatha converted the resulting penalty but the goal came little too late as the home side ran out winners.
The win sees AmaZulu continue their recent impressive form where they are unbeaten in their last seven league games. In that run, six of those games saw Usuthu win, with the only blemish a goalless draw against leaders Sundowns. More importantly, this win sees them close the gap at the top to just three points. However, the Brazilians still have a whopping three games in hand.
For TS Galaxy, it is yet another disappointing result on the road. The Rockets have now lost their last four games consecutively in the league. They’ll be hoping to end that run when they take on Baroka next on Wednesday.