Amazulu’s Lucky Mzizi — a former Kaizer Chiefs player — scored a brace to help his team beat the Amakhosi 2-1 in a fast-flowing Castle Premiership game played at Olympia Park on Saturday evening.
Amazulu led 1-0 at the break.
It was sweet revenge for Amazulu, after Chiefs beat them 2-0 at home in the first round.
Amazulu striker Mzizi scored his first goal in the 43rd minute, when, capitalising on mistakes by Cyril Nzama , he received a quick split pass from Sibusiso Ntuli, and made no mistake, beating Rowan Fernandez hands down.
Chiefs’ coach Ernst Middendorf, who is under tremendous pressure for not delivering, made a double substitute, looking for an equalising goal. He brought on Emanuel ”Scara” Ngobese and Tenashe Nengomasha for two defenders, Nzama and Patrick Mayo respectively.
The first minute into the second half, Amakhosi striker Serge Djiehou equalised to give Middendorf a temporary smile.
After that equalising goal, Amazulu threw everything into the attack, looking for a winning goal.
As the game progressed, Mzizi regained his form. He was unlucky in the 53rd minute when his thunderous shot hit the crossbar, with Fernandez well beaten.
To add to the frustrated Amakhosi’s woes, the Amazulu coach also made double substitutes, replacing Ntuli and Litre Ngxabi with Dennis Lotter and Tebogo Tshiu.
Mzizi completed his brace with a header in the 70th minute.
Amazulu resorted to stylish passes to send the partisan crowd the message that the Chiefs could be beaten by coastal teams.
Last week, Amakhosi were booted out of the Absa Cup by Golden Arrows — another coastal team.
Amakhosi coach Middendorf was a relieved man when the referee Peter Mabuza blew the final whistle because Amazulu nearly scored a third goal in the referee’s optional time.
Despite winning, Amazulu are still in danger of being relegated at the end of the season because they have only managed five wins, five draws and 13 losses from 23 games, whilst Amakhosi are in fourth position with 34 points — nine wins, seven draws and seven losses from 23 games. ‒ Sapa