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AmaZulus Goodman Dlamini in action against Moroka Swallows at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday.
A swallow doesn’t make a summer. In AmaZulu’s case, the mid-week defeat of Moroka Swallows doesn’t mean they have turned the corner.
All the 2-1 win over Swallows did was restore belief in the squad that they can compete.
It marked their first win of the season, and also their first goals after five barren league and cup assignments.
Next they must raise the bar for yet another challenge away to |Platinum Stars tomorrow afternoon.
Platinum are ahead of bottom side AmaZulu only through a better goal difference, so both outfits will be desperate for points.
“You don’t become a great team after just one game,” said AmaZulu spokesman Philani Mabaso, “and the result didn’t do anything for our log position. Psychologically, it was a morale booster that gets us on a good footing ahead of the next game, but we’re still rock bottom and need to work hard.”
According to Mabaso, AmaZulu have beaten Platinum four times in their backyard in recent seasons, and that could give his side an extra boost.
Coach Roger Palmgren will rejoin the squad tomorrow after attending his mother’s funeral in Sweden, but stand-in head coach Fani Madida is expected to call the shots.
At the top end of the standings, Maritzburg United get the weekend’s action rolling in tonight’s only clash, at home against Bidvest Wits.
Maritzburg are unbeaten after five games, while big-spending Wits come to the KwaZulu-Natal capital off a 3-1 loss to Kaizer Chiefs.
The Team of Choice are enjoying their run, but are unhappy at having drawn their last two games after conceding late goals.
“Game by game, our combinations are getting better,” said club spokesman Younus Kadodia.
“We didn’t expect to gel the way we have, so in the next five games we should see better improvement.
“Our concentration needs to improve, especially after we take the lead.
“Against Free State Stars it was a tough and close game, but in the last game against Black Leopards, we should have had five or six more goals and wrapped it up.”
Coach Ernst Middendorp has a full squad after Ghanaian winger Frank Gyamfi returned from under-20 international duty. The added attacking depth will be welcomed, because Wits themselves have a solid arsenal.
The Students have spent big in the off-season, and coach Antonio Habas can call on any of Thembinkosi Fanteni, Calvin Kadi, Ryan Chapman and Erwin Isaacs to lead their attack.
The other local team, Lamontville Golden Arrows, enjoy home advantage over Leopards in Umlazi tomorrow night.
Coming off a win and a draw, Arrows are in good form to climb further up the table.
In their 1-1 draw away to Free State, Stars coach Muhsin Ertugral had Zambian international Joseph Musonda as part of a three-man central defence.
It was Musonda’s first appearance of the season after he obtained permanent residency.
With defence having been their weakest area last season, Musonda’s experience will give them a firm platform to build on.
