South Africa PSL: AmaZulu beat Siwelele 2-0 as Shumah waits

AmaZulu defeated Siwelele FC 2-0 on Saturday. The victory took them to seven points from their first three Premier Soccer League matches, level with Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

The Durban club began the season with a 4-3 defeat by Sekhukhune United in the MTN8 quarter-final, but they have avoided defeat in the league. They followed an opening win with a 1-1 draw against reigning champions Pirates before claiming three points against Siwelele.

Kenya striker Moses Shumah was not involved again. The forward joined AmaZulu in July from Zambian champions Power Dynamos, but he has yet to play in any of the club’s first four matches this season.

His absence has not stopped AmaZulu from making a strong start under Arthur Zwane. Zimbabwean forward Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya scored the second goal against Siwelele after creating the opener for Mlondi Mbanjwa. Ngwenya has now struck five times in four matches for the club.

That form could make Shumah’s route into the starting XI difficult once he is cleared to play. Zwane has indicated that the Kenyan remains behind schedule because he missed much of AmaZulu’s pre-season, having arrived when the club was already well into its preparations.

The coach has also stressed that the pace and physical demands of the PSL require an adjustment period for players arriving from other leagues. Shumah scored 21 goals for Power Dynamos before his move, but AmaZulu’s current form means the club can allow him time to adapt without an immediate need to change its attack.

AmaZulu finished fourth in the PSL last season and are targeting an improvement. Their seven-point start leaves them level with the two Johannesburg giants, with goal difference separating the sides.