Posted on August 24, 2011 22:28
AmaZulu were unlucky to go down by a 2-1 scoreline to Supersport United in an Absa Premiership match played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday night.
After a drab first half Dumisani Zwane's 51st minute goal looked like it might be the only one as Usuthu seemed in control.
The visitors, however, had other ideas with Maluleke equalising through a 78th minute penalty and Niang deflecting a shot past Tapuwa Kapini to leave the hosts winless after their opening three games.
AmaZulu nonetheless looked the better side for large parts of the game. Carlington Nyadombo tried his luck from distance early on after being picked out by Mxolisi Mayonga, but his long-range strike sailed well over, while Matsatsantsa debutant Bryce Moon blasted straight into the arms of Kapini.
In the 17th minute, an excellent cross from Moses Chavula was nodded just over by Goodman Dlamini during a strong passage of play by the home side.
Moments later Sibusiso Hadebe provided catching practice for the visitors' rookie goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
On the half-hour mark United coach Gavin Hunt tried to spice things up for his side by introducing Kermit Erasmus for Anthony Laffor, but the move did little to raise the tempo as the sides went into the break goalless.
After the restart, Erasmus struck a free-kick from the left straight into the arms of Kapini, before the home fans were finally given something to cheer about when Zwane struck the opener.
A good through-ball from Goodman Dlamini was delivered to his midfield partner, who ran straight through the middle of the defence and lifted the ball over the onrushing Williams.
United almost provided an instant response but a Tebogo Langerman corner kick narrowly evaded two defenders on its way wide.
Fourteen minutes from time, the hosts should have wrapped up the game when substitute Ayanda Dlamini raced down the right and rolled the ball across the face of goal, but Tangeni Shipahu was too slow to the ball and the chance went begging.
As it turned out, the visitors drew level after the ensuing break, with Mxolisi Mayongo bringing down Erasmus inside the area and Maluleke slotting home the resulting penalty.
Just over a minute later Niang found himself in some space on the left with his shot from the edge of the box deflecting off Tamsanqa Teyise and looping over Kapini.
Atusaye Nyondo and Maluleke missed chances to stretch the gap, but it mattered little as United claimed their second win in three games.
