Royal AM and AmaZulu FC shared the spoils in the DStv Premiership opener on Saturday evening at the Harry Gwala Stadium.
Usuthu new head coach Pablo Franco Martin couldn’t secure the maximum points in his first game in South Africa while Thwihli Thwahla failed to begin their journey at their new home ground in style.
In the previous season, Royal AM claimed four points from AmaZulu, winning 2-0 in the first round while their second-round encounter ended in a goalless draw.
Franco Martin handed Wayde Jooste an official debut while Tshepang Moremi who recently returned from loan also started upfront.
It was a slow start for both sides inside the first 10 minutes with clear-cut chances few and far between. As time went on, the visitors amped the intensity but weren’t harmful in front of Mondli Mpoto’s posts.
In the 22nd minute, Wayde Jooste injected urgency into his side’s attack and released Augustine Kwem with a defence-splitting pass. The Nigerian striker cut inside but couldn’t keep the ball glued to his feet with Mpoto coming out to grab it with ease.
AmaZulu continued to play more into the half of the hosts with Tshepang Moremi and Augustine Kwem influential in the forward movements. Usuthu wasted another chance when Thembela Sikhakhane skied the ball over the bar after receiving a cross from Moremi.
The match reached the interval with a 0-0 scoreline on the scoreboard.
AmaZulu further upped their momentum in the second half as Thwihli Thwahla struggled to progress the ball up the field.
ROWAN HUMAN MAKES USUTHU DEBUT
Moments later, the home side nearly took the lead when Macuphu made a sharp turn and unleashed a thumping shot. However, his effort was blocked by Abbubaker Mobara. In the 62nd minute, Franco Martin made an attack-minded change introducing Rowan Human as he took off Sikhakhane.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, Royal AM began to find their rhythm as they kept Usuthu’s backline busy. And they looked dangerous when attacking with their wingers, bothering the opponents with constant crosses.
In the 80th minute, Veli Mothwa made a crucial save, denying Mxolisi Macuphu’s powerful header. And the home side kept on coming back with more box entries, however, Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Mobara remained solid.
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