AmaZulu extended their winless run to six matches in the DStv Premiership after drawing 1-1 with KwaZulu-Natal rivals Maritzburg United on Wednesday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: AmaZulu 1-1 Maritzburg United
Date: 19 October 2022
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Usuthu made two changes following their draw against Orlando Pirates, as Gabadinho Mhango returned from suspension, alongside a recall for Tercious Malepe.
Maritzburg, meanwhile, made only one change from their goalless draw against Richards Bay, as Tumelo Njoti took the place of Karim Kimvuidi.
The game was open in the early stages but AmaZulu carved out the first clear chance on 24 minutes after Augustine Kwem went through in the box but goalkeeper Anye Fru rushed off his line and thwarted danger right on the feet of Kwem.
Romain Folz's charges gained the upper hand going forward after that as George Maluleka came close to breaking the deadlock shortly after the half-hour mark with a left-footed shot around the box that beat Fru but rattled the post.
The hosts remained on the front foot and Mhango eventually broke the deadlock six minutes before the interval with a thumping strike in the box after a through ball by Sphesihle Maduna.
Maritzburg raised their game early in the second stanza and Usuthu succumbed to their pressure shortly before the hour-mark as they were reduced to ten men after Malepe got a red-card for a dangerous tackle.
The Team of Choice dictated terms from then on and Friday Samu had a chance to restore parity on 64 minutes with a strike at the back post that was blocked off the line by Kwem.
As United gained the momentum, Folz made a double tactical change to overload the midfield, as Mxolisi Kunene and Ethan Brooks both came on for Maduna and Kwem.
However, John Maduka's troops eventually found the equaliser with 13 minutes remaining courtesy of a free header by Samu at the back post after a rebound fell on his path from a corner.
Maritzburg continued to enjoy momentum in the dying minutes and Tawanda Macheke came close to snatching the winner with a flicked header over goalkeeper Veli Mothwa but defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele made a clearance off the line.
Usuthu weathered the storm in the tail end but nearly stole all the three points after Mphahlele's header came off the post, with Fru beaten, from a set-piece as the game ended all square.
Here's how they lined up:
AmaZulu: 44. Mothwa, 5. Sikhakhane, 14. Hanamub, 17. Mphahlele, 2. Mobara, 45. Buchanan, 4. Malepe, 12. Maluleka, 10. Maduna, 9. Kwem, 11. Mhango
Subs: 38. Amonome, 42. Mabiliso, 24. Zulu, 8. Makhaula, 18. Brooks, 26. Magaqa, 50. Bwalya, 36. Kunene, 3. Ndlovu
Maritzburg United: 1. Anye Derick, 5. Makume, 16. Ritchie, 18. Mashikinya, 22. Theron, 19. Sam, 6. Graham, 23. Moloisane, 12. Njoti, 11. Soukouna, 20. Samu
Subs: 32. Leaner, 28. Palace, 17. Conco, 10. Human, 26. Kimvuidi, 9. Macheke, 7. Van der Ross, 30. Monamodi, 29. Masia.
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