AmaZulu's Thapelo Matlhoko celebrates his goal against Chipp United.
Image: Backpagepix
AmaZulu delivered a stellar performance on Saturday afternoon at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, retaining fourth spot on the table after hammering Chippa United 5-1 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
A consistent stream of attacks in the second half opened up the Chippa defence over eight times, with three goals being converted in the second 45 minutes.
But AmaZulu spent the opening ten minutes in their half, on the back foot, with Chippa pressing forward. Usuthu's passing felt a bit pressured and not the easy-flowing, controlled tempo they would have liked at home.
Sinoxolo Kwayiba kept asking questions of Usuthu's defence, while coach Arthur Zwane looked visibly frustrated on the sidelines inside the half-hour.
Mbanjwa managed to get through the left flank and into the box but could not keep his shot on target, missing a chance to put the hosts up.
AmaZulu continued with the attacks, which ultimately only made them more frustrated as they missed chances to take the lead. Maqokola kept getting in behind the Chippa defence and causing minor cracks in their wall.
Chippa's Azola Matrose scored an absolute cracker into the top-right corner to beat Usuthu's keeper and put them in the lead, punishing the hosts for their lack of conversions. Young Mzobe then provided the assist for Maqokola to finally get his goal with a superb header into the top-left corner.
Chippa were gutted seconds later after they slipped up at the back, gifting Usuthu a 2-1 lead into the break and handing Siphamandla Zikhali his first goal of the game. Maqokola almost got his second but struck the woodwork in the 70th minute after a fantastic short run behind the defence.
Just minutes later, Maqokola delivered a fantastic second goal. Shortly before the 80th minute, Thapelo Matlhoko sent the hosts 4-1 up after Chippa made yet another defensive mistake.
AmaZulu substitute Thabiso Kutumela finished off the visitors in 90th minute with the last goal, sealing the three points and victory for Usuthu.
Jehran Naidoo is sports reporter for Independent Media and social media coordinator of the our YouTube channel The Clutch.