AmaZulu FC claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sekhukhune United in a DStv Premiership match played at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The victory elevated Usuthu to ninth in the league standings as they snapped their three-match winless run. The KwaZulu-Natal giants are set to wrap up their league campaign with a clash against Golden Arrows at home on 25 May.
AmaZulu will chase three DStv Premiership points when they welcome Sekhukhune United to the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday 7 May 2022.
Kick-off is at 5pm CAT.
AmaZulu have taken 10 points from the last 12 up for grabs after they defeated Swallows FC 1-0 away from home on May 3, with a goal from Spesihle Maduna.
The result has left the Durban club in seventh place and with 39 points to their name – well on course to finish in the top half of the log, though they need to ensure they do not fall away in the last three rounds of the 2021-22 season.
Usuthu have claimed 21 points from 13 home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 1-0 win over provincial rivals Maritzburg United in mid-April.
Sekhukhune, meanwhile, saw their winless run in the league stretched to eight matches when they were beaten 2-0 at home by champions Mamelodi Sundowns on May 3.
The top-flight rookies are yet mathematically certain that they will not end in the relegation playoff zone, but with an eight-point gap to 15th they are all but assured of playing in the Premiership next term.
Babina Noko have claimed 15 points from 13 away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 0-0 draw at Golden Arrows in late April.
In head-to-head stats, AmaZulu and Sekhukhune have met in just one previous top-flight league match. That encounter took place earlier this season, at Ellis Park in October 2021, and saw Babina Noko claim a 2-0 home win thanks to goals from Willard Katsande and Chibuike Ohizu.
Babina Noko pushed for the equalising goal after the restart with Jamie Webber dragging his side forward from midfield. The former SuperSport United star tried his luck in the 55th minute, but he was denied by a well-positioned Mothwa.
George Maluleka and Hendrick Ekstein were keen to make an impact for AmaZulu in the dying minutes of the game. The former Kaizer Chiefs duo combined well in the 90th minute, but Ekstein was denied by Sangare and ultimately, the game ended in a 1-0 win in favour of Sekhukhune.