Kaizer Chiefs and ten-man AmaZulu drew 1-1 in the first leg of their MTN8 semi-final on Sunday afternoon.
MTN8
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 1-1 AmaZulu
Date: 02 October 2022
Venue: FNB Stadium
Arthur Zwane went with the same side that started against SuperSport United before the international break, while Usuthu handed a start a surprise to Dumisani Zuma against his former side.
Usuthu got off to the perfect start when Gabadinho Mhango opened the scoring on 13 minutes by showing good composure to fire past Itumeleng Khune with a neat left-footed finish.
Chiefs, meanwhile, struggled to get going in the first half and were unable to register any serious efforts at Veli Mothwa's goal in the opening 20 minutes.
The hosts did manage to carve out a chance on 28 minutes when Ashley du Preez was slipped in down the right side of the box, but the forward's strike was tipped away by Mothwa.
Chiefs should have been level just before the break when Mothwa did well to deny Du Preez's first attempt, but the strike blazed over with the net gaping on the rebound.
Zwane responded with a change at the start of the second half as Keagan Dolly finally entered the pitch, with Siyethemba Sithebe making way.
Chiefs' hopes of finding a way back into the clash was helped after Usuthu were reduced to 10 men after Veluyeke Zulu was shown a second yellow card on 54 minutes.
AmaZulu coach Brandon Truter responded with a change in defence as for AmaKhosi full-back Ramahlwe Mphahlele replaced Zuma just before the hour mark.
However, it was the Chiefs substitute who made the impact as Dolly levelled matters on the hour mark by turning home Dillon Solomons' low cross.
Chiefs dominated in the closing stages and went close to grabbing the lead on 86 minutes when Sifiso Hlanti's cross found Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana, who nodded wide of the mark.
There was another red card on in the closing stages as Mhango, who was substituted off earlier in the half, was shown a straight red for something he said.
Despite being a man down, the visitors managed hold out for the draw which sees them carry an away goal into the second leg in three weeks.
Here's how they lined up:
Kaizer Chiefs: 16. Khune, 18. Solomons, 2. Dove, 4. Kwinika, 23. Hlanti, 45. Blom, 8.Maart, 6. Sithebe, 9. Du Preez, 14. Sekgota, 28. Bimenyimana
Subs: 44. Bvuma, 19. Ngezana, 17. Alexander, 39. Frosler, 27. Nj. Ngcobo, 22. Matlou, 12, Nk. Ngcobo, 10. Dolly, 5. Mahlatsi
AmaZulu: 44. Mothwa, 17. Gumede, 14. Hanamub, 24. Zulu, 22. Khumalo, 2. Mobara, 8. Makhaula, 45. Buchanan, 12. Maluleka, 11. Mhango, 15. Zuma
Subs: 38. Amonome, 42. Mabaliso, 13. Mukumela, 23. Mphahlele, 4. Malepe, 18. Brooks, 36. Kunene, 50. Bwalya, 20. Majoro
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