AmaZulu edge out ES Setif in Caf Champions League to go second on table
AmaZulu made it back-to-back wins in the CAF Champions League group stages after defeating Algerian giants ES Setif 1-0 on Friday evening.
Usuthu made five changes to the side that drew with TS Galaxy, as they recalled Makhehlene Makhaula, Mbongeni Gumede and Sandile Khumalo while Siphelele Mthembu and Matarr Ceesay got rare starts.
Benni McCarthy’s charges should have been ahead within the first minute after Augustine Mulenga rounded goalkeeper Zakaria Bouhalfaya after going through on goal from a high press and had a gaping net to aim at but glaringly missed just wide of the bottom post.
The sides were getting chances on transitions and Setif had a big opportunity to break the deadlock ten minutes before the half-time break after Khoutir Ziti went through on goal on the left side of the box but his low strike was crucially blocked by the onrushing shot-stopper Veli Mothwa.
AmaZulu had the attacking momentum in the closing phase of the first stanza and Luvuyo Memela eventually gave them the lead just before the half-time break with a low curling strike from the edge of the box that took a deflection and swerved away from Bouhalfaya.
The game opened up in the early stages of the second stanza, as Setif had a sense of urgency going forward and Ahmed Kendouci had a chance to level matters for the visitors just after the hour-mark after going through on goal in the box but defender Tapelo Xoki made a crucial block with a tackle from behind.
Usuthu were threatening get a two-goal cushion on counter-attacks in the closing stages, as McCarthy brought on the fresh legs of Abraham Majok in place of Mthembu and Tshepang Moremi in place of Mulenga upfront.
The Algerian side were desperate for the equaliser in the closing stages but AmaZulu remained resolute at the back, as they held on to clinch maximum points in Group B.
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Gumede, Khumalo, Xoki, Zulu, Buchanan, Makhaula, Memela, Ceesay, Mulenga, Mthembu.
Subs: Amonome, Boshoff, Mgwazela, Mlambo, Moleko, Moremi, Majok, Ntuli, Sikhakhane.
