AmaZulu fight back to share spoils with Maritzburg United in KZN derby
Maritzburg United and AmaZulu had to settle for a point each after playing out to a 1-1 stalemate in a DStv Premiership match that was played in wet conditions at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night.
Orlando Pirates loanee Kwame Peprah scored on his debut for Team of Choice in the KZN derby, while Guily Manziba scored a late equaliser to salvage a point for AmaZulu.
Peprah was handed a start after he received his work permit following his loan move from the Buccaneers. Meanwhile, Usuthu made three changes from the line-up of their last match.
Defenders Sibusiso Mabiliso and Veluyeke Zulu replaced Riaan Hanamub and Ramahlwe Mphahlele respectively.
Hendrick Ekstein was dropped for Sphesihle Maduna who last played against Marumo Gallants in their second-last match.
As expected, it was a lively opening for both teams as they were fighting over the bragging rights in the provincial derby.
However, it was Maritzburg that seemed to be on the front foot as they looked deadly when they reached the final third.
Usuthu later started to pick up and played into the half of the hosts, however, were slow when building up.
In the 21st minute, Abbubeker Mobara fired a thunderous shot after he was set up by Veluyeke Zulu as the Team of Choice’s defence failed to clear from a corner kick.
However, the centre-back’s effort was expertly dealt with by Renaldo Learner who has been in form lately.
PEPRAH SCORES ON HIS MARITZBURG UNITED DEBUT
The debutant Peprah broke the deadlocks in the 32nd minute when he headed home after he was located by Karim Kimvuidi’s cross in the box.
Towards the end of the first half, it was Folz’s troops who kept on threatening the home side’s goal a couple of times.
At the outset of the second half, Folz made attack-minded changes. He introduced Keagan Buchanan and Ekstein for Tercious Malepe and Dumisani Zuma.
Early in the second stanza, Ekstein nearly leveled the matters when he burst into the box but skied the ball over the bar.
AmaZulu kept on dominating possession, seeking an equaliser as Maritzburg had little forward momentum.
In the 64th minute, Peprah wasted a chance to grab a brace when he broke away behind Usuthu’s defence but skewed the ball wide.
In the last ten minutes, AmaZulu lowered their gears as if they had surrendered. However, in stoppage time the substitute Manziba scored a late goal to equalise for the visitors.
SWALLOWS DEFEAT RICHARDS BAY
In the other fixture of the day, Richards Bay suffered their fourth defeat of the season at the hands of Swallows.
Kagiso Malinga’s goal was enough to hand the Dube Birds their second win in 2023.
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