Posted on May 19, 2012 19:18
Heeebe! Usuthu! reveberated in the AmaZulu dressing room post Kaizer Chiefs match played at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The score line was unimpressive at 0-0, but the significant matter is that AmaZulu have, for the very first time qualified for a top eight position since the inception of the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
The results sees Usuthu clinch a seventh-placed finish with 41 points garnered, whilst Chiefs finish the 2011/12 season in fifth place with a total of 50 points from 30 fixtures.
The match started at a cautious pace with both sides looking to keep things tight at the back in the opening exchanges.
Chiefs' first real chance of the match arrived on 13 minutes when Bernard Parker unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the area that was saved by Tapuwa Kapini in the visitors' goal.
The created another good chance six minutes later but Jimmy Tau fired over the crossbar from the right-hand side of the penalty area after some great build-up play by Siphiwe Tshabalala.
Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 19, Chiefs player Josta Dladla and Amazulu player Marc Van Heerden during the ABSA Premiership League match between Kaizer Chief and Amazulu from FNB Stadium on May 19, 2012 in Johannesburg, South Africa
Photo by Abbey Sebetha / Bakonepi
The visitors grew in confidence as the half progressed with Ayanda Dlamini firing over the bar from 20 yards on 23 minutes before Kagiso Senamela fired wide of the right-hand post on 41 minutes.
Just two minutes later, Tshabalala forced another good save from Kapini with a piledriver of an effort from long range.
The hosts should have broken the deadlock in the 51st minute but Lehlohonolo Majoro's shot flew agonisingly wide of the target.
And they had another glorious chance to claim the lead in the 68th minute when Tshabalala lost his marker with a driving run into the box. The South Africa international rose unmarked to meet an inviting cross but his header flew over the bar, much to the disappointment of the home crowd.
They continued to pile on the pressure and they came close, once again, in the 85th minute when Mandla Masango hit the woodwork with a right-footed shot from the left-hand side of the penalty area.
However, AmaZulu managed to hold firm in the closing minutes of the clash to ensure they finished the season above Celtic due to a superior goal difference.