AmaZulu have revealed their first two new signings ahead of the upcoming 2021/22 DStv Premiership season. © Shaun Roy/BackpagePix
‘I am going to start smoking cigars!’ – Benni celebrates Qalinge’s winner
Benni McCarthy conceded after the match that Stellenbosch FC had all but worked out his side, but their failure to score left the door open.
AmaZulu have revealed their first two new signings ahead of the upcoming 2021/22 DStv Premiership season. © Shaun Roy/BackpagePix
Amazulu left it late to claim their sixth successive Premiership victory on Friday night, establishing a new club record and delighting coach Benni McCarthy.
McCarthy conceded after the match that Stellenbosch FC had all but worked out his side, but their failure to score and seize control of the scoreboard left the door open for a dramatic late winner from new signing Thabo Qalinge.
Stellies fluff their chances, Benni delighted
Stellies might have been on the board inside ten minutes when a lung busting surge forward from Nathan Sinkala was followed by a neat ball that set Ashley Du Preez in on goal but the striker scuffed his shot and failed to hit the target.
The home side created more chances at the Danie Craven Stadium but by the time the clock showed 90 minutes scores remained level.
A sharp save late on from Veli Mothwa kept Amazulu in the contest before Qalinge, who is looking to revive his career with Usuthu, repaid the faith shown in him by Coach Benni and club president Sandile Zungu.
Siyethemba Sithebe was the architect of the goal, finding himself in acres of space between the Stellies midfield and their back line.
Qalinge showed great composure to round the keeper and fire home from a tight angle.
Watch: Benni goes wild after Qalinge’s winner
The win moved Amazulu up to an incredible second place on the log behind runaway leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and puts Usuthu very much in the frame for continental football.
It was a dramatic way to go about things and Benni joked afterwards that he should start smoking cigars.
“Lady luck was on our side. Sometimes you need luck. Stellies had a gameplan and they were better than us, but we’re the team that goes home with the three points,” Benni said.
“They did not have their scoring boots on because otherwise we would have lost. But it’s not over until it’s over and we go home smiling. I am going to start smoking cigars!”
Barker gutted to go down
Stellies coach Steve Barker was left to rue his side’s profligacy in front of goal.
“I thought we did everything to win the game, but we didn’t get the ball in the back of the net and that’s disappointing,” Barker said.
“But that’s how football goes. If you don’t take your chances you leave yourself open to the sucker punch. It’s very disappointing because the team is playing well but we not picking up the points.”
