AmaZulu's search for a first win since the start of November continued after playing to their 11th draw of the DStv Premiership against Chippa United on Saturday afternoon.
DStv Premiership
Result: Chippa United 0-0 AmaZulu
Date: 11 December 2021
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Chippa interim coach Kurt Lentjies handed a re-call to goalkeeper Ismail Watenga after the 3-1 defeat to TS Galaxy, while Lehlohonolo Majoro replaced De Jong in the Usuthu line-up looking for his first goal of the season.
Usuthu came into the contest looking to put an end to their run of five straight draws, while Lentjies' charges were aiming to bounce back from the big loss to TS Galaxy during the week.
The decision to hand Majoro the start paid dividends as the former Cape Town City striker opened the scoring with a close-range finish after getting on the end of Mbongeni Gumede's long ball that evaded Watenga on 23 minutes.
The lead did not last long though as the Chilli Boys pulled level three minutes courtesy of a strike Eva Nga Bienvenu who was teed up by the returning Thokozani Sekotlong.
Check out the 12 coaching changes in the DStv Premiership this season!
However, neither side were able to find another goal before the break, with Eva Nga going close just before the break but he was denied by Usuthu shot-stopper Veli Mothwa.
Benni McCarthy opted for a double change in the second half as Keagan Buchanan and Tercious Malepe made way for Thembela Sikhakhane and Philani Zulu for the second 45 minutes.
The Chilli Boys looked to up the ante in the second half and carved out a chance in the 69th minute as Mogakolodi Ngele played in Thabiso Lebitso, who was unable to steer his effort on target.
However, that proved to be the last clear-cut opening of the half as the sides had to settle for a share of the spoils in Gqeberha on Saturday afternoon.
Here's how they started:
Chippa: 19. Watenga, 24. Zulu, 20. Mdlinzo, 29. Mthethwa, 4. Hanamub, 2. Mdunyelwa, 5. Pietersen, 17. Sekotlong, 14. Mkhize, 10. Maloisane, 9. Eva Nga.
Subs: 23. September, 12. Matrose, 26. Sangare, 1. Kazapua, 8. Mokhele, 11. Ngele, 28. Lebitso, 6. Seabi.
AmaZulu: 44. Mothwa, 17. Gumede, 4. Malepe, 27. Xoki, 18. Moleko, 45. Buchanan, 10. Sithebe, 8. Makhaula, 11. Memela, 20. Majoro, 7. Ntuli.
Subs: 43. Boshoff, 22. Khumalo, 23. Mlambo, 5. Sikhakhane, 13. Zulu, 25. Mzava, 37. Shange, 9. Mthembu, 14. De Jong.
