Sekhukhune United Strengthen Fourth Place with 2-0 Win Over AmaZulu in Betway Premiership

by Nyiko Maluleke

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Sekhukhune United strengthened their grip on fourth place in the Betway Premiership with a comfortable 2-0 victory over AmaZulu on Wednesday evening at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

The win saw Sekhukhune extend their unbeaten run to four matches and solidify their position as one of the league’s most consistent performers this season. The three points were crucial for Sekhukhune as they look to keep pace with the top teams and maintain their push for a potential spot in continental competitions next season.

The match was a hard-fought affair, but Sekhukhune’s quality shone through as they managed to break down AmaZulu’s defense in the second half. Despite a resilient display from Usuthu, who had their moments in attack, it was Sekhukhune’s clinical finishing that made the difference.

The breakthrough came in the 54th minute when Sekhukhune’s in-form striker, Tshegofatso Mabasa, found the back of the net. A perfectly timed through ball from midfielder Gerald Phiri Jr. sliced through AmaZulu’s defense, allowing Mabasa to calmly slot the ball past AmaZulu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa, giving the home side a 1-0 lead.

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AmaZulu, struggling to break down Sekhukhune’s solid defensive line, were left chasing the game. Their attempts to equalize were thwarted by Sekhukhune’s goalkeeper, Elvis Chipezeze, who was in inspired form, making crucial saves to keep his side ahead.

As AmaZulu pressed for an equalizer, Sekhukhune sealed the win in the 79th minute. This time, it was a well-worked team move that resulted in a second goal. Sekhukhune captain, Thabo Rakhale, provided a precise cross from the right wing, which was met by the head of substitute Mxolisi Macuphu, who guided the ball past Mothwa to make it 2-0.

The goal effectively ended the contest, as AmaZulu’s attempts to find a way back into the game came to nothing. Sekhukhune were resolute in defense, and their two-goal cushion ensured that they would leave the field with all three points.

Sekhukhune’s coach, Brandon Truter, was full of praise for his side’s disciplined performance. He highlighted the importance of the result, particularly after a tough run of matches.

β€œI’m very proud of the players,” Truter said after the match. β€œIt wasn’t an easy game, but the boys showed great character. We were patient, we took our chances when they came, and we defended well when we needed to. We know that every point is valuable, and this victory helps us keep our position in the top half of the table.”

The victory lifts Sekhukhune to 31 points, further cementing their place in the top four and keeping them well in the race for a possible CAF competition spot. With key players like Mabasa and Phiri Jr. continuing to shine, Sekhukhune look poised to finish the season strongly.

For AmaZulu, the defeat was a setback in their bid to improve their position in the league standings. Despite a solid first half, the team was unable to cope with Sekhukhune’s second-half intensity, and their inability to convert chances left them frustrated. Coach Benni McCarthy will be looking to find a way to rejuvenate his side as they aim to bounce back in their next fixture.

β€œWe didn’t take our chances, and when you don’t do that against a team like Sekhukhune, you get punished,” McCarthy reflected. β€œWe need to learn from this and be more clinical moving forward.”

The loss sees AmaZulu remain in mid-table, and they will need to regroup quickly if they are to challenge for a spot in the top eight by the end of the season.

Sekhukhune United will now turn their focus to their upcoming fixtures as they look to maintain their push for a continental spot. With a solid foundation of defense and attack, the team will aim to continue their strong form in the second half of the season.

For AmaZulu, the challenge is clear: they must improve their finishing and find a way to turn performances into points if they hope to climb up the table in the coming weeks.

As both teams look ahead to the next phase of the season, Sekhukhune United will feel confident in their top-four ambitions, while AmaZulu will be determined to bounce back and regain their form.

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