Athini Maqokolo brace sends AmaZulu up to fifth as Siwelele’s unbeaten run ends

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AmaZulu brought Siwelele’s unbeaten run in the Betway Premiership to a halt with a 2-0 victory at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday afternoon.

Despite Siwelele dominating much of the early play, their lack of cutting edge in the final third proved costly as they failed to convert pressure into meaningful chances, extending their worrying run to nine scoreless matches across all competitions.

AmaZulu, who grew steadily into the contest as half-time approached, broke the deadlock in the 45th minute. A swift transition through Hendrick Ekstein sliced open the visitors’ defence, allowing Athini Maqokolo to finish clinically for his first of the day.

The hosts tightened their grip in the second half, capitalising on errors from Grant Margeman and Thabo Makhele in the 73rd minute as Maqokolo doubled the lead.

Usuthu might have added a third shortly afterwards, but Nkosikhona Radebe fired wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Nonetheless, the result secured AmaZulu’s third win in four league outings, lifting them to fifth place on 21 points from 12 matches. Siwelele stay 10th with 13 points from 14 games, having scored just seven times this season.

Sekhukhune rise to third after hard-fought draw with Gallants

Sekhukhune United climbed to third place in the Betway Premiership after battling to a 1-1 draw with Marumo Gallants on Saturday evening.

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa made just one adjustment to their starting line-up, recalling Eroine Agnikoi, while Babina Noko reintroduced Toaster Nsabata, Tresor Yamba, Daniel Cardoso and Shaune Mogaila.

Gallants started brightly, with Mpho Chabatsane firing an early free-kick off target. Sekhukhune soon replied as Letlapa’s header, meeting a fine cross from Keletso Makgalwa, drifted narrowly wide.

The hosts suffered a setback when Sekela Sithole was forced off injured and replaced by Monde Mphambaniso shortly before the half-hour.

Gallants capitalised first, taking the lead through Ellis Rammala after a smart pass from Vusimuzi Mncube. Bradley Grobler later threatened to double the advantage with a header from another Makgalwa delivery.

Sekhukhune nearly hit back when Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo sent a free-kick just wide.

Ndlondlo eventually found the breakthrough, levelling with 14 minutes left after being picked out by Katlego Otladisa. He almost snatched a late winner from Bheki Mabuza’s flick-on, but could not convert.