AmaZulu and Richards Bay FC shared the spoils after playing a 1-1 draw in the KZN derby in DStv Premiership on Sunday afternoon.
Thabo Qalinge scored for AmaZulu, while Katleho Maphathe rattled the back of the net for the home side in an evenly-balanced contest.
In the reverse fixture in October, Brandon Truter was in charge of AmaZulu in the dugout. Usuthu lost 1-0 to the rookies, a result that saw the Cape Town-born coach parting company with the club the following day.
Both teams came to the match having drawn their previous league outings. On Wednesday, AmaZulu were held to a 1-1 stalemate by the struggling Gallants, while Richards Bay FC drew with SuperSport United with the same scoreline.
As the two sides got proceedings underway, the Natal Rich Boyz enjoyed the lion’s share of possession. However, they produced minimal goal-mouth action.
Later, Romain Folz’s troops gained a foothold in the game and piled some pressure on the home side’s defence but couldn’t find a way past Salim Magoola.
QALINGE OPENED THE SCORING FOR AMAZULU
The game went 0-0 until the 33rd minute when Usuthu opened the scoring through Qalinge. The former Orlando Pirates winger tapped in from Sede Dion’s cross, who had found himself behind Bay’s defence.
Thereafter, both teams exchanged jabs in midfield and were constructive offensively until the break. The score remained 1-0 in Usuthu’s favour during the break.
In the second 45 minutes, opportunities were created at both ends. However, neither of the two sides managed to utilise their chances.
In the 54th minute, Qalinge nearly found his second of the match when he dribbled past Richards Bay’s defence, but Magoola was on hand to stop the 30-year-old’s effort.
Moments later, AmaZulu’s defence had a busy spell with Richards Bay putting them under heavy pressure. In the 75th minute, Somila Ntsundwana wasted a clear-cut chance when he hit the woodwork after AmaZulu failed to clear.
KATLEHO MAPHATHE SALVAGED A POINT FOR RICHARDS BAY
The final ten minutes saw the home side dominating and threatening Veli Mothwa’s posts. However, they only got to level matters in stoppage time when captain Maphathe picked up the pieces from Hanamub’s clearance.
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