Benni McCarthy’s AmaZulu secured their first-ever points and scored their first goal in their CAF Champions League group stage with a win over Horoya at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday.
After losing their opening game to Botola Pro giants Raja Athletic Club in Casablanca last week, the challenge of another continental powerhouse Horoya awaited McCarthy and his troops at home.
But the confident Usuthu staked their claim as one of the teams who are challenging for the knockout stages with an impressive 1-0 victory courtesy of Luvoyo Memela’s deft touch on the half-hour mark.
The 34-year-old winger finished off Augustine Mulenga’s cross for his seventh goal across all competitions, which proved to be the only goal of the game – in what proved to be a rather cagey affair in KZN.
However, the home side were well worth the maximum points as they defended resiliently against the Guinea Ligue 1 Pro champions who are regulars in the knockout stage of the competition over recent years.
Mulenga in particular, was a lively figure throughout and built on the impressive display in Morocco last week and with ES Setif up next, the result will no doubt provide a major boost of confidence for the debutants.
McCarthy claimed in the pre-match that they are ‘dreaming’ of emulating Kaizer Chiefs who defied odds of reaching the final in their first-ever group stage campaign and they have notably taken an important step but with four games remaining in a competitive group with Setif, Raja and Horoya – it remains a challenging proposition.
Last season’s DStv Premiership runners-up will face TS Galaxy on Tuesday before hosting ES Setif at home on Friday, 25 February.
Line-ups:
AmaZulu XI: Mothwa; Gumede, Xoki, Khumalo, Zulu (Sikhakane 85′); Memela (Ntuli 86′), Buchanan (Mobara 85′), Makhaula, Mlambo (Cessay 66′), Mulenga, Majok (Qalinge 65′).
Horoya XI: Moussa, Camara, Doumboya, Coulibaly, Diaw; Diarra (Baffour 46′), Sylla (Camara 78′), Camara; Haba, Amamoo (Soumah 46′, Traore 86′), N’Diaye (Keita 71′).
