AmaZulu hold off Durban City to win KwaZulu-Natal derby

AmaZulu maintained their strong start to the Betway Premiership season with a 2-1 victory over Durban City FC at Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The visitors made the decisive early impact in the KwaZulu-Natal derby, taking advantage of a hesitant start from the home defence. Durban City had begun at pace, with Kyle Jurgens and Samkelo Maseko posing an early threat inside the opening five minutes, but AmaZulu took the lead in the seventh minute.

Nkosikhona Radebe delivered an accurate cross towards Mlondi Mbanjwa, who brought the ball under control before calmly finishing beyond Frederick Asare.

Durban City attempted to respond immediately and created several opportunities, but AmaZulu goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela kept the hosts from finding an equaliser. He made important saves to keep out efforts from Ethan Brooks and Jean Lubumba, while Luphumlo Sifumba and Mokone were also unable to take their chances.

Asare then produced an excellent stop at the other end to deny Mbanjwa, who had broken clear and looked set to score a second.

AmaZulu did not have to wait long for another goal, however. Radebe again provided the assist in first-half stoppage time, setting up Athini Maqokolo to finish from close range in the 49th minute. The goal gave the visitors a 2-0 advantage at the interval.

Durban City returned from the break with greater urgency. Bandile Shandu narrowly missed with a shot in the 51st minute, but the hosts were still two goals behind midway through the second half.

Coach Eric Tinkler responded by making a double substitution, and the changes quickly produced an impact. Haashim Domingo scored only two minutes after coming on in the 69th minute, reducing the deficit and giving Durban City renewed hope of rescuing a result.

The home side pressed forward throughout the final 15 minutes and won a series of late free-kicks as they searched for an equaliser. AmaZulu’s defence resisted the sustained pressure, though, preserving the victory and securing derby bragging rights.