AmaZulu recorded their second consecutive victory in the CAF Champions League group stage with a 1-0 win over Algerian side ES Setif at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday.
Luvuyo Memela scored the all-important goal in the first half as Usuthu followed up their 1-0 success in their last home encounter against Horoya AC with another three points.
Benni McCarthy’s AmaZulu side now have six points from their opening three group matches having lost to log leaders Raja Casablanca in Morocco in the first game.
Usuthu started the contest well on Friday and should have been ahead in the first 30 seconds, but Augustine Mulenga missed an open goal, shooting wide following a horrendous mix-up in the ES Setif defence.
The Algerian outfit had their first shot on target in the 25th minute, but Zoubir Motrani’s effort was comfortably saved by Usuthu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.
AMAZULU TOOK THE LEAD SHORTLY BEFORE THE BREAK
AmaZulu kept on pressing and Setif defender Hocine Laribi almost put the ball into his own net following a threatening cross from the right by Mbongeni Gumede.
The Algerian outfit had their first shot on target in the 25th minute, but Zoubir Motrani’s effort was comfortably saved by Usuthu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.
Mothwa was again called to action, this time tipping an acrobatic effort from Mohamed Khoutir Ziti over the crossbar.
AmaZulu took the lead three minutes before half-time when Memela picked up the ball outside the box and fired a left-footed shot that was deflected and beat ES Setif keeper Zakaria Bouhalfaya.
The second half saw limited goal-mouth action, as Usthu’s tight defence kept the visitors’ attack quiet.
Thembela Sikhakhane had another effort on target for the hosts, but Bouhalfaya did well to snuff out the danger.
The South Africa side did enough to earn all three points, with the teams meeting again on 11 March in the reverse fixture.
Jovaza