AmaZulu and Sekhukhune United played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in a Betway Premiership encounter at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Monday afternoon.
Usuthu handed a start to Thapelo Mathloko, while Sekhukhune United welcomed back the experienced Thabang Monare as both sides looked to assert themselves early in the contest.
AmaZulu made their intentions clear in the opening exchanges and were rewarded in the 22nd minute when Mathloko found the back of the net to give the hosts a deserved lead.
Sekhukhune, however, responded well and gradually grew into the contest. Their persistence paid off in the 41st minute as Olerato Mandi grabbed the equaliser, ensuring the sides went into the break level at 1-1.
The second half started with renewed urgency from AmaZulu, who regained the lead in the 51st minute through Nkosikhona Radebe, restoring Usuthuโs advantage and energising the home crowd.
The hosts experienced a setback in the 67th minute when Mathloko was forced off due to injury, disrupting Usuthuโs rhythm at a crucial stage of the encounter.
The visitors showed resilience and continued to push forward in search of a result. Their efforts were rewarded in the 77th minute when Bright Ndlovu found the equaliser to make it 2-2.
Sekhukhune pushed hard in the closing stages, showing clear intent to claim all three points, but they were unable to convert their chances as AmaZulu held firm.
In the end, both sides had to settle for a point apiece after a competitive and evenly contested encounter in KwaMashu.
The result sees AmaZulu remain in fourth place on the table, just ahead of Sekhukhune in fifth, as the race for top positions continues to tighten. AmaZulu will now turn their attention to an away clash against Siwelele on 11 April, while Sekhukhune return home where they are set to host Magesi on the same day.
image: PhindileJM