Defending champions Orlando Pirates were held to a 1-1 draw by AmaZulu FC in a Betway Premiership clash at Kings Park Stadium in Durban on Wednesday evening, extending their 12-year record against Usuthu.
Tshepang Moremi opened the scoring for the visitors in the seventh minute, while AmaZulu equalised via a Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya penalty.
With this draw, Pirates extended their undefeated league streak against AmaZulu to 22 games—a run that includes 11 wins and 11 draws since their last loss to Usuthu. After the midweek games, Pirates are second on the log behind current leaders Kaizer Chiefs while AmaZulu are fourth.
Here are four key observations from the draw at the Kings Park Stadium.
1. SIHLE NDULI RETURNS TO MARSHAL THE BUCCANEERS MIDFIELD
Midfielder Sihle Nduli made his first start of the 2026/27 season in midfield following his return to full fitness after suffering an Achilles tendon injury in November 2025.
The 30-year-old started in place of Bafana Bafana international Thalente Mbatha, who was ruled out of the match due to an injury. He looked comfortable on the ball as Nduli made some good interceptions, and combined well with young midfielder Camren Dansin. Unfortunately, Nduli was forced out with an injury 10 minutes into the second half.
2. WASTEFUL ORLANDO PIRATES IN FRONT OF GOALS
The Buccaneers were the better side, especially in the first half and could have scored more than three goals after opening the scoring. However, they were their own worst enemies in front of goal, with Yanela Mbuthuma, Camren Dansin and Ghampani Lungu the biggest culprits in terms of converting easy scoring chances. Mbuthuma also missed a glorious opportunity with 20 minutes to go while the score was at 1-1.
3. ANOTHER BLUNDER FROM THE MATCH OFFICIALS TO DENY AMAZULU FC
It seems almost impossible these days to watch a Betway Premiership match without officiating blunders affecting the result. That was certainly the case on Wednesday evening, when first assistant referee Kgara Mokoena denied AmaZulu FC what looked like a perfectly legitimate goal.
However, the 2024/25 Assistant Referee of the Season raised his flag for offside, denying Mlondi Mbanjwa an equaliser in the 34th minute.
Referee Luxolo Badi also appeared to be lenient on Usuthu striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya following his foul on Nduli, which resulted in the Bucs star being taken off due to the resultant injury.
4. SIYANDA HLANGABEZA IS A PLAYER FOR THE FUTURE
Despite the one mistake which nearly proved to be costly towards the end of the match, midfielder Siyanda Hlangabeza was one of the decent players in the park for the home side. The 23-year-old is calm on the ball and has great vision. With time and under the guidance of coach Arthur Zwane, Hlangabeza will certainly play a key role for Usuthu this season.
RELATED STORY: Ouaddou frustrated by Orlando Pirates strikers, tells them to ‘wake up’
