AmaZulu Beat Bay To Win KZN Prem’s Cup

Thembela Sikhakhane scored the winning penalty as AmaZulu beat Richards Bay 5-4 to see coach Pablo Franco Martin win his first trophy with Usuthu in the KZN Premier’s Cup at Princess Magogo Stadium on Sunday. 

The game had to go to penalty shootouts after it finished goalless in 90 minutes.    

For the spot of Sikhakhane to decide the match, when the former Orlando Pirates defender was about to take it, the sudden death after all had taken five apiece, the lights went off the entire stadium at 18:00.

It took 13 minutes for them to be restored and Sikhakhane, who held the ball for a long time running in circles to overcome the nerves, calmly slotted it to win the pre-season tournament.     

A repeat of the 2018 final, where Usuthu won 1-0 from the screamer of Thapelo Xoki and this game, so tight in the first half, needed some to do that from out of the ordinary.

Usuthu winger Andile Mbanjwa weaved away from his marker, but put too much power when he was trying to locate Riaan Hanamub at the back post in the second half, with the ball eluding the Namibian powerful full back. 

Yanela Mbuthuma came close to score for Bay, rounding off Olwethu Mzimela who though put a bit of finger tip to block from his path as he was out of goal, as much as he got the touch, Mbuthuma was able to cross but it was too deep as another chance went begging.  

Thabani Dube, looking to revive his career after two years of horror at Kaizer Chiefs, started this game for Bay and was named the skipper of the side. But he couldn’t finish the match as he struggled with cramps.

The game continued to be a tight match and it was only penalties that were needed to decide the outcome of the final, and it is where AmaZulu won the tournament. 

On top of Sikhakhane, others who slotted theirs were Hanamub, Abubaker Mobara, Bongi Ntuli and Pule Ekstein. Ramahlwe Mphahlele thrashed it wide. 

For Bay, who Lwandile Mabuya crashed his to the crossbar, were scored by Yanela Mbuthuma, Langa Mhlongo, Sbu Mthethwa, Sanele Barns and siphamandla Ncanana. 

Cijimpi, as Martin is known in these parts, joins Cavin Johnson to have won this cup, having done so against Brandon Truter’s Bay in 2018.