Posted on April 28, 2012 23:49
A ten-man AmaZulu were unlucky to go down by a 2-1 scoreline against Platinum Stars at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday night.
Ayanda Dlamini opened the scoring with a tap-in for the Usuthu just before the hour-mark, with Henrico Botes restoring parity courtesy of a sharp finish after 66 minutes.
But Belux Kasonga was given his marching orders for handling the ball and conceding a penalty which was converted by Patrick Malokase, the subsequent winner his fourth goal in five games.
The first half saw both sides battle to make any significant headway on attack, Botes and Robert Ngambi coming close for Stars, while Ayanda Dlamini thrice failing to beat the 'keeper.
The best of his chances came moments before the break, when Ramson Zhuwawo broke through the middle and then drifted away to the left, before squaring to the near post where Dlamini pushed his shot wide.
After the break, Elias Ngwepe missed from a 20-yard free-kick, while at the other end, Goodman Dlamini fluffed a decent opportunity when he delayed his shot on goal.
Ngambi then fired wide from six-yards out, before the deadlock was finally broken in the 58th minute when Goodman Dlamini drove into the right side of the box and played the ball across the face of goal where Ayanda Dlamini finished with ease.
But Dikwena equalised eight minutes later when Vuyo Mere's cross accurately from the right found Botes, who finished with a low shot into the right corner.
With 14 minutes remaining, Kasonga was dismissed when he intentionally blocked a goal-bound shot using his hands on the line after Botes had the ball cut back to him by Lindokuhle Mbatha.
Malokase drilled in the penalty to put the visitors 2-1 up and was enough to see Cavin Johnson's men pick a vital three points.
The dealt AmaZulu's top-eight hopes a blow and left Roger Palmgren's charges occupying that final top-half spot, although they have a game in hand.