The AmaZulu team continued to demonstrate impressive momentum at the start of the season, managing to withstand the pressure from Durban City FC in the second half and securing a deserved 2-1 victory in the Betway Premiership match held on Tuesday evening at Chatsworth Stadium.
The Usuthu side set the tone in the KwaZulu-Natal derby, harshly punishing the hosts for a slow defensive start. Despite Durban City establishing an aggressive pace early in the game, threatening within the first five minutes through Kyle Jurgense and Samkelo Maseko, it was AmaZulu who scored first in the seventh minute.
Nkosikhona Radabe delivered an accurate cross for Mlondi Mbandjwe, who calmly controlled the cross and sent the ball past Frederick Asare. AmaZulu goalkeeper Olwetu Mzimela demonstrated high class, making several brilliant saves to prevent Ethan Brooks and Jean Lubumbe from capitalizing on their chances, while Lufumlo Sifumba and Mokone also failed to score.
On the other hand, Asare made a magnificent save, preventing Mbandjwe from increasing the lead after a clear counter-attacking opportunity. Deep into stoppage time of the first half, AmaZulu extended their advantage when Radabe once again assisted Athini Makokolo to finish the attack from close range in the 49th minute, allowing the visitors to go into halftime with a confident 2-0 lead.
After the restart, Durban City came out with increased energy. Bandile Shandu took a shot that went wide of the goal in the 51st minute. However, while the team was still trailing midway through the half, coach Eric Tinker addressed his bench. The double substitution had an immediate effect: just two minutes after entering the field, Hashim Domingo scored, narrowing the gap and ensuring a dramatic conclusion to the match.
Tinker's team pushed all their strength forward in the final fifteen minutes, earning a series of free kicks, but the AmaZulu defense held firm under intense pressure, allowing them to claim all three points and pride in the Durban derby.