Royal AM Beat AmaZulu To Win Prince Mangosuthu Cup

Despite all the troubles that have engulfed Royal AM, they still do find a way to be happy, as they lifted the Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Legacy Cup in Ulundi on Saturday. 

Shauwn Mkhize’s club, which saw their FIFA ban thrown confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport a few days ago, beat AmaZulu 1-0 in the final of the pre-season cup in front of a capacity crowd in the north of KwaZulu-Natal. 

Royal AM qualified for the final with a dominant 2-0 win over Richards Bay in their semi-final earlier on, when Mfundo Thikazi scored twice.

In the final it was Siphiwe Cele who scored the only goal of the game to hand Thwihli Thwala the trophy and Usuthu their first pre-season defeat. 

Cele bent his run behind AmaZulu’s defense to perfection, rounding off Andile Mbanjwa before slotting the ball it into the empty in the 24th minute. 

It was a brilliant pick out by Mzwandile Dlamini after he won the ball in Usuthu’s half.   

Temperament Siphesihle Maduna made things worse for Pablo Franco Martin’s side, being issued with a red card by Nonjabulo Ndlela for what appeared to what he said in the 32nd minute. 

Royal AM, boasting Nkanyiso Zungu in the midfield who was turning the screws in the middle, were never troubled even after when there was a confusion that AmaZulu had scored through Rowan Human, but the goal was chalked off.

As Royal AM triumphed, they succeeded Usuthu, who won this pre-season cup last year at the venue of Mzansi’s icon Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who is the Prime Minister of the Zulu Royal Family.

Unlike before, the Zulu Minister was not present after he underwent a back operation, having been advised by doctors to stay at home to recover fully. 

This triumph, as much as it is a pre-season, sends a tonic of what is going to be big week for Royal AM. 

iDiski Times has been informed the club’s new season will be launched at a shop-stopper event on Thursday. The club will announce new players, CEO and marketing team that has been working behind the scenes for some time. 

– Advertisement –

According to a source, the club has signed few internationals, but they can’t spoil the party by revealing them to media.

Royal AM will start the new season against the same AmaZulu at Harry Gwala Stadium next Saturday.