AmaZulu remain without win in the DStv Premiership after goalless draw with SuperSport United on Tuesday evening, with both teams finishing the game with 10 men.
Result: AmaZulu 0-0 SuperSport United
Date: 14 September 2021
Venue: Jonsson Kings Park Stadium
Usuthu recalled Siyethemba Sithebe, Siphelele Mthembu, Keagan Buchanan and Limbikani Mzava, alongside a first start for Tshepang Moremi while Matsatsantsa head coach Kaitano Tembo started Kudakwashe Mahachi in place of the injured Sipho Mbule.
The hosts were dictating matters in the opening exchanges and they had a big chance in the 20th minute after a mistake at the back led to Mthembu going clear on goal, but he stumbled inside the box, with the ball falling to Thabo Qalinge, who sent the effort wide.
Qalinge came close to breaking the deadlock six minutes later with a looping strike at the back post from Mthembu's lay-off that was brilliantly parried away goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Kaitano Tembo's men managed to get a sight at goal 10 minutes before the break as Iqraam Rayners went through on goal but he was denied by shot-stopper Veli Mothwa in a one-on -one situation.
Tembo made his attacking intentions clear with his substitution at half-time, as he brought on Thamsanqa Gabuza, who joined Rayners and Bradley Grobler upfront, in place of Mahachi.
Grobler came close to breaking the deadlock for United just before the hour-mark with a free header inside the box that was saved by Mothwa at full stretch after a cross by Rayners.
McCarthy made a triple change after that, as he bolstered his attack with Luvuyo Memela, Sphesihle Maduna and Samkelo Mgwazela, with Moremi, Buchanan and Mzava making way.
With things heating up on the pitch, AmaZulu were reduced to ten men with 16 minutes left on the clock after Tercious Malepe was shown a straight red card for a sliding tackle from behind on Jamie Webber.
SuperSport had the attacking momentum after that as Rayners almost snatched the winner in the last four minutes with a volleyed strike inside the box from a cross that sailed over the bar.
United also finished the game with ten men after Luke Fleurs got a second booking in the final moments, as the sides settled for a share of the spoils on the night.
AmaZulu: 44. Mothwa, 18. Moleko, 25. Mzava, 27. Xoki, 4. Malepe, 10. Sithebe, 45. Buchanan, 8. Makhaula, 15. Qalinge, 19. Moremi, 9. Mthembu.
Subs: 38. Amonome, 17. Gumede, 39. Mgwazela, 23. Mlambo, 34. Maduna, 28. Ektsein, 11. Memela, 20. Majoro, 7. Ntuli.
SuperSport: 30. Williams, 18. Nhlapo, 25. Fleurs, 6. Ditlhokwe, 14. Bhasera, 12. Webber, 26. Donn, 4. Mokoena, 11. Mahachi, 7. Grobler, 9. Rayners.
Subs: 1. Chigova, 27. Philipps, 15. Mkhwanazi, 16. Mbatha, 23. Waiswa, 38. Moralo, 34. Appollis, 22. Manziba, 13. Gabuza.
