AmaZulu FC coach Pablo Franco Martin lauded the triumphant return of Ivorian striker Junior Dion in a thrilling match against Cape Town City over the weekend.

Dion, making his first DStv Premiership appearance this season after overcoming injury, turned the game around with two crucial goals, securing a remarkable 3-2 comeback win at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday.

Dion, who entered the match in the 46th minute off the bench, showcased his predatory instincts by equalizing in added time, bringing the score to 2-2. However, his heroics did not end there, as he unleashed a close-range strike to clinch the winning goal, ensuring AmaZulu's unbeaten home record.

This victory marked AmaZulu's second consecutive win of the season, propelling them to fourth place in the DStv Premiership standings with nine points from six matches.

Coach Martin praised Dion's return, stating, "He [Dion] was the top scorer last season, especially when you look at the average minutes and the number of goals." Martin expressed optimism about the team's goal-scoring capabilities with Dion's comeback and hinted at the potential addition of Yakhouba Barry, a player they were unable to sign due to medical reasons.

Reflecting on the team's performance, Martin acknowledged the progress in the league standings, achieving the fourth-place mandate set by the club's president, Sandile Zungu. However, he emphasized the need for continued improvement and a higher level of performance to bring joy to the fans and himself.

As AmaZulu climbed to fourth in the table, Martin said, "[If] we are finishing today in the league, we are in fourth position." He stressed that while their position was satisfactory, there was still work to be done to meet his performance expectations.

Looking ahead, AmaZulu will face Polokwane City at Peter Mokaba Stadium on September 25 in a DStv Premiership afternoon clash.

AmaZulu FC boss Pablo Franco Martin praises striker Junior Dion