"We need a big scalp," AmaZulu coach Steve Barker had said earlier last week.
The beleaguered mentor had the feeling it was only a matter of time before Usuthu found some sort of resurgence in their relegation battle, but very few would have expected them to do it away to the in-form SuperSport United yesterday.
The cynics would have dubbed it a bad day at the office for Matsatsantsa, coached by Gordon Igesund, a man with an impressive track record of four Premier League titles at club level. But this 5-2 thumping was convincing. AmaZulu definitely had a plan - they intended to bring down a big name to keep their hopes of survival alive.
Barker hardly sat down, barking instructions from the dugout the minute his men went a goal down as early as the third minute.
Mbulelo Mabizela, back from suspension, and his partners at rearguard had not been switched on, allowing striker Jeremy Brockie to sneak in behind the defence to break the deadlock.
It was the Kiwi's fourth goal in as many matches since he arrived here as a surprise purchase by Igesund.
However, this incredible statistic was to soon be overshadowed by a remarkable comeback from bottom of the log Usuthu. It looked like the equaliser would elude them when Bongi Ntuli failed to punish a defensive error when he was left one-on-one with United keeper Ronwen Williams in the 34th minute.
Left-back Marc van Heerden got a chance to show the forward how it's done eight minutes later. From a well-taken free kick that gave Williams no chance, AmaZulu were suddenly back in the game. And Ntuli redeemed himself on the stroke of halftime with a headed goal that gave Usuthu a 2-1 lead. Both sides had been on the pitch for three minutes in the second half when Bornwell Mwape grabbed a third for AmaZulu.
However, Clayton Daniels pulled one back for United before Goodman Dlamini got a rare double for the club.
l Bloemfontein Celtic beat Platinum Stars 2-0.
Amazulu rout Supersport
"We need a big scalp," AmaZulu coach Steve Barker had said earlier last week.
The beleaguered mentor had the feeling it was only a matter of time before Usuthu found some sort of resurgence in their relegation battle, but very few would have expected them to do it away to the in-form SuperSport United yesterday.
The cynics would have dubbed it a bad day at the office for Matsatsantsa, coached by Gordon Igesund, a man with an impressive track record of four Premier League titles at club level. But this 5-2 thumping was convincing. AmaZulu definitely had a plan - they intended to bring down a big name to keep their hopes of survival alive.
Barker hardly sat down, barking instructions from the dugout the minute his men went a goal down as early as the third minute.
Mbulelo Mabizela, back from suspension, and his partners at rearguard had not been switched on, allowing striker Jeremy Brockie to sneak in behind the defence to break the deadlock.
It was the Kiwi's fourth goal in as many matches since he arrived here as a surprise purchase by Igesund.
However, this incredible statistic was to soon be overshadowed by a remarkable comeback from bottom of the log Usuthu. It looked like the equaliser would elude them when Bongi Ntuli failed to punish a defensive error when he was left one-on-one with United keeper Ronwen Williams in the 34th minute.
Left-back Marc van Heerden got a chance to show the forward how it's done eight minutes later. From a well-taken free kick that gave Williams no chance, AmaZulu were suddenly back in the game. And Ntuli redeemed himself on the stroke of halftime with a headed goal that gave Usuthu a 2-1 lead. Both sides had been on the pitch for three minutes in the second half when Bornwell Mwape grabbed a third for AmaZulu.
However, Clayton Daniels pulled one back for United before Goodman Dlamini got a rare double for the club.
l Bloemfontein Celtic beat Platinum Stars 2-0.
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