Usuthu fire three to down Bullets in CAF

AMAZULU showed fortitude to thrash Nyasa Big Bullets 3-1 at the Bingu National Stadium in Malawi yesterday afternoon. The result meant that Usuthu won the two-legged play-off 3-2 on aggregate after losing the first leg 1-0 in Durban last week.

Benni McCarthy’s side have advanced to the CAF Champions League second preliminary round and will play against Congolese giants TP Mazembe next month.

Usuthu’s goals came via a brace from striker Bongi Ntuli while veteran Siphelele Mthembu, who looked dangerous for his side throughout the game, completed the rout in the second half.

Usuthu led after four minutes when they were awarded a penalty following a handball from the home side. Ntuli stepped up and slotted home successfully.

Seven minutes later, Ntuli notched his brace when Mthembu’s back-heel found its way to him and he knocked the ball home.

Usuthu received a slight scare in the 25th minute when goalkeeper Veli Mothwa was in pain and received attention from the medical team but he was soon back on his feet.

The Durban side looked comfortable in defence despite Big Bullets pushing up with as many as four strikers in the early parts of the second half. This backfired as Mthembu scored a beautiful goal inside the box in the 55th minute. He was set up by Ntuli who had been played in by Luvuyo Memela.

Thabo Qalinge was Usuthu’s midfield engine, stringing together neat passes, and he was arguably the best player in the game.

League runners-up last season, the win would have been a big relief to Usuthu management and coach McCarthy as it was their first competitive victory of the season.

Prior to this game they had scored one goal in all competitions so the fact that the attack finally sparkled yesterday will be a big boost for AmaZulu.

They also controlled the game despite playing in unfamiliar territory.