Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu FC battled to a 2-2 draw in a thrilling Betway Premiership encounter at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Own goals from Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Richard Ofori proved costly for AmaZulu, while Tshepang Moremi and Elmo Kambindu found the net for the Durban-based side.
Nasreddine Nabi made six changes to his starting lineup after the Soweto derby. Bradley Cross, Reeve Frosler, Yusuf Maart, Thabo Cele, Tashreeq Morris, and Glody Lilepo all came in with Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Njabulo Blom, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, George Matlou, and Ranga Chivaviro dropped.
Usuthu also made three changes, with Taariq Fielies, Bongani Zungu, and Hendrick Ekstein replacing Sandile Mthethwa, Ethan Brooks, and Mlondi Mbanjwa.
Chiefs nearly took an early lead when Richard Ofori made a double save, thwarting both Maart and Lilepo in the box. Amakhosi continued to pressure AmaZulu, and in the seventh minute, Mduduzi Shabalala’s vicious shot hit the side netting following a cut-back from Frosler.
Shortly after, Usuthu began to find their footing, enjoying more possession and having some exciting moments offensively.Â
MPHAHLELE’S OWN GOAL AND AMAZULU LEVELLER WITHIN FIVE MINUTES
Despite AmaZulu’s improved play, Chiefs opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ramahlwe Mphahlele inadvertently put the ball into his own net.Â
However, the lead was short-lived, as Tshepang Moremi equalized for the KZN side just five minutes later, thanks to a stunning setup from Rowan Human.
Thereafter, the visitors had a spell of dominance over Nabi’s troops, particularly in the midfield and kept on threatening when going forward. But towards the end of the first half, Chiefs gained control of the game again. The match reached the interval with 1-1 on the scoreboard.
In the second half, Nabi made an early substitution, replacing Shabalala with Mthethwa. This tactical change saw Cele, who had been playing a little bit deeper, move further upfield as the team sought to increase their attacking threat.
The second half was a much more open affair, with both teams creating numerous scoring opportunities as they searched for a breakthrough.
Elmo Kambindu’s header from a corner kick in the 60th minute gave the away side the lead. However, the Soweto giants quickly responded, equalizing just three minutes later.
The hosts had a spell where they could have snatched the victory in the last 15 minutes, but they squandered it with a series of missed opportunities.
OTHER BETWAY PREMIERSHIP RESULTS
- Magesi FC – Chippa United (Abondoned)
- Richards Bay FC 2-1 Marumo Gallants
RELATED STORY: Vilakazi on Chiefs clash: ‘Arthur Zwane knows them in and out’
