AmaZulu got the job done once again, surviving several close calls before snatching a late winner to win 1-0 against Stellenbosch on the road Friday. Substitute forward Thabo Qalinge picked a great time to score his first goal for the club, his strike coming in second-half stoppage time only a couple of weeks after signing as a free agent.
It arguably should have been a comfortable home win for the hosts, but Stellies were woeful in their finishing throughout the match. In the 38th minute forward Stanley Dimgba did excellently to dispossess an AmaZulu full-back and then set up Junior Mendieta, but the Argentinian wasted Dimgba’s hard work by sending his shot harmlessly over the bar. In the 57the minute Stellies squandered another guilt-edged opportunity when Ashley Du Preez was sent in only to rocket his finish off the post and out.
Apparently down but never out of the running for three points, AmaZulu made the hosts pay dearly in second-half stoppage time. With the game opened up Siyethemba Sithebe chipped a perfect through ball for Qalinge, whose first effort was saved right back for him to slam home the rebound with authority. The result jumps AmaZulu into second place on the table and three points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. Kick Off has a match report in the link below and highlights are further down.
