University of Pretoria ended their losing streak in the Absa Premiership when they defeated AmaZulu 2-0 at the Tuks Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Khethukuthula Zwane opened the scoring midway through the first half while Grant Kekana added the second moments after the halftime break.

The hosts created the first chance in the 8th minute when Charly Moussono-Moussono rose at the far post to meet a corner from Zwane, but his header was blocked by Aubrey Mathibe.

AmaTuks continued to threaten four minutes later but Zwane drilled his low shot wide of goal before Geoffrey Massa sent his glancing header wide of the far post.

Usuthu came close to taking the lead in the 14th minute when Pineas Jakob released Ayanda Dlamini on the right side of the box but the striker delayed his shot, allowing Washington Arubi to come off his line to make the block.

Three minutes later Thabo Mosadi got the better of Marc Van Heerden on the right side of the box to create some shooting space, only to blast his effort over the crossbar.

The opening goal arrived in the 25th minute from a freekick just outside the right corner of the box with Zwane beating Mathibe with a left-footed strike with the aid of a slight deflection from Van Heerden.

Both sides had opportunities just after the half-hour mark but Massa’s shot was held by Mathibe while Tamsanqa Teyise was unable to connect with Van Heerden’s after the goalkeeper had come off his line.

Mathibe then made two great saves to prevent AmaTuks from increasing their lead before the break, parrying an effort from Mosadi in the 39th minute before diving to his right to deny the same player in the first minute of added time.

The AmaZulu goalkeeper was unable to prevent the hosts from doubling their advantage less than a minute after the restart when he was left for dead by Kekana, who then slotted the ball into an open net.

The hosts continued to apply pressure but were unable to add to their tally with Zwane shooting over the crossbar in the 47th minute, while Mosadi shot straight at Mathibe a minute later.

Substitute Dipsy Selolwane also came close in the 73rd minute after beating Bonginkosi Macala for pace on the left side of the box, but his effort was deflected onto the upright by Mathibe before Van Heerden completed the clearance.

The Botswana international had another opportunity in the 80th minute when Usuthu lost the ball in their own half, but this time he fired well over the crossbar.

Usuthu had one final chance to pull one goal back in the 88th minute when Ayanda Dlamini sets the ball up for Lunga Zondi just inside the box, but he fired his low shot wide of goal as AmaTuks held on to their two-goal cushion.

AmaZulu remain in fifth place with 17 points from 13 matches while AmaTuks have moved up to 13th place with 11 points from 11 matches.

University of Pretoria (1) 2 (Zwane 25’, Kekana 46’)
AmaZulu 0

University of Pretoria: Arubi, Kekana, Monyai, Shoyisa, Moussono-Moussono, Ketjijere, Mkhwanazi, Mosadi (Tarumbwa 88’), Zwane (Oluwafemi 73’), Massa, Nyondo (Selolwane 56’)

AmaZulu: Mathibe, Macala, Teyise, Nyadombo, Van Heerden (Hlanti 66’), Madondo, Dlamini G, Manqana (Zondi 69’), Mthiyane, Jakob (Ndulula 46’), Dlamini A