AmaZulu (0) 3
Bloemfontein Celtic (0) 0
Amazulu made it three wins on the trot and kept their unbeaten streak at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi intact as they stormed to a 3-0 victory against a very dangerous Bloemfontein Celtic team last night.
Usuthu are now on a roll having collected nine points out of the possible nine in their previous three encounters in the league.
Prior to yesterday's meeting with Celtic, they dispatched Highlands Park and Chippa United.
Emiliano Tade was instrumental in the win as he scored a brace as Siyabonga Nomvethe completed the riot. Amazulu are still unbeaten at home in this league season. Free State Stars, Baroka and now Celtic have succumbed to the Durban side while Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Maritzburg United and Polokwane City all settled for one point.
Both teams didn't create any meaningful chances in the first 20 minutes of the game. They were resolute at the back with most of the action only happening in the middle of the park. The game came to life after 20 minutes.
Celtic came close to breaking the deadlock in to the game but Lentshane Phalane's attempt sailed wide. It was a free-kick outside the box after Thapelo Nyongo brought down Ndumiso Mabena.
Menzi Masuku received a glorious opportunity to give Celtic the lead after Sibusiso Mabiliso failed to clear the long ball that was driven forward by Phalane but Siyabonga Mbatha made a telling save to deny the former Orlando Pirates forward.
Mbatha did well to keep Celtic at bay but Masuku should have done better to loop the ball over Mbatha and the ball would have just kissed the net.
Moments later, Tade, was denied by the woodwork. From there on, it was all Amazulu and Celtic had to weather the storm. Ovidy Karuru also missed a sitter after doing a good a great job to create space in the box but his shot went wide.
Tade struck the post again just 10 minutes before the interval. The only difference between Usuthu and finding the back of the net was the woodwork in the first half.
Usuthu rattled the woodwork again before half time and this time around it was Butholezwe Ncube.
Tade finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel after he struck the post twice in the first half. He made fantastic solo run as he messemerised the Celtic defence and then unleashed a thunder-bolt to beat Patrick Tignyemb. The goal came 12 minutes in to the second half and it was well deserved for Usuthu.
10 minutes later, Tade, completed his brace with a well taken penalty. Phalane handled the ball inside the box and the referee, Khulasande Qongqo, gave the penalty to Usuthu. The Argentinian coolly converted to double Usuthu's lead.
Siyabonga "Bhele" Nomvethe put the ice on cake with lovely free kick in optional time after Lorenzo Gordinho brought down Bongi Ntuli and was given his marching orders.
Usuthu will now travel to Thohoyandou Stadium in Limpopo where they will meet Black Leopards on Saturday in another Absa Premiership showdown.