AmaZulu picked up their sixth win in a row when Thabo Qalinge scored in stoppage time to beat Stellenbosch 1-0 in their DStv Premiership match at the DC Stadium on Friday evening.
It takes Benni McCarthy’s team into second place on the log.
Stellenbosch 0-1 AmaZulu
The visitors had the ball in the back of the net in the 5th minute, but Luvuyo Memela and Thapelo Xoki were both off side.
Ashley Du Preez’s effort three minutes later for Stellenbosch, went wide of the goal.
In the 15th minute Sage Stephens made a good stop to deny Siphesihle Maduna, after some good work from Siyethemba Sithebe.
Junior Mendieta had a chance in the 25th minute, but Veli Mothwa was up for it and pulled off a good save.
Xoki’s attempt from a free kick in the 33rd minute, flew over Stephens’ goal.
Mendieta had another chance in the 38th minute, after a break down the right from Stanley Dimgba, who set up the Argentinean just inside the box, but he blasted over.
At halftime it remained goalless.
Lehlohonolo Majoro went narrowly wide in the 51st minute as he tried a first time effort, from a cross by Memela. Augustine Mulenga’s chance three minutes later also went wide.
Stellenbosch should have been in the lead in the 57th minute,but Du Preez’s powerful effort struck the upright and bounced out.
Stellenbosch continued to have the better chances in the second half, and Du Preez broke free in the 69th minute, before setting up Marc Van Heerden, who went down under a challenge from Mothwa. While it looked like there could have been contact, Van Heerden was booked for simulation, and no penalty was awarded.
Mothwa made two good saves in a row to deny Du Preez and Dimgba in the 79th minute, as the home team continued to apply on the pressure.
And the home team were to regret those chances as Usuthu substitute Thabo Qalinge, in just his second game for the club, grabbed the winner in stoppage as he ran onto a great pass from Sithebe, rounded Stephens, and made no mistake.
