For long spells, it looked like the Bloemfontein outfit had things firmly under control in the Premier Soccer League tie. They took the lead through Vincent Pule and were handed a further advantage when AmaZulu were reduced to ten men following Nkosikhona Radebe’s red card. 

But Usuthu refused to lie down, and a late strike from Mondli Mbanjwa ensured the points were shared.

The result sees Siwelele sitting 10th on the table, still four points shy of the top half, while AmaZulu hold onto fourth spot, level on points with Kaizer Chiefs – although the Soweto side have games in hand.

Chibuike Ohizu and Bohlale Ngwato. Photo: Morgan Piek

The match took a while to get going, with both teams struggling to find fluency early on. Once they settled, though, it opened up into an entertaining contest, with chances coming at both ends.

AmaZulu threatened midway through the first half when Radebe found space down the right and unleashed a low drive from a tight angle, but Siwelele keeper Ricardo Goss was alert, making a solid save at his near post.

Siwelele made their dominance count just after the half-hour mark. Ghampani Lungu delivered a teasing cross from the right, and Pule rose well to guide his header past Olwethu Mzimela to hand the hosts a deserved 1-0 lead.

Neo Rapoo. Photo: Morgan Piek

Usuthu went into the break chasing the game and came out with renewed intent in the second half. They nearly drew level in the 57th minute when Athini Maqokola was slipped through on goal, but a last-ditch tackle from Siyabonga Ndebele denied him a clear one-on-one opportunity.

Things went from bad to worse for AmaZulu shortly after the hour mark. Radebe, already on a yellow card, was shown a second booking for what was judged to be simulation on the edge of the box – a decision that left the visitors with a mountain to climb.

Yet, despite being a man down, AmaZulu dug deep and found a way back. In the 81st minute, substitute Mbanjwa pounced on a loose ball high up the pitch after dispossessing Pogiso Sanoka, before calmly finishing past Goss to level matters at 1-1.

Yandisa Mfolozi. Photo: Morgan Piek

Siwelele threw everything forward in search of a late winner and came agonisingly close in the 87th minute, only to be denied by a desperate goal-line clearance from AmaZulu.

In the end, neither side could find the decisive breakthrough, and the match finished all square after a hard-fought 90 minutes.

Both teams will be back in action next weekend, with Siwelele facing city rivals Marumo Gallants in the second-ever Bloemfontein derby, while AmaZulu face a tough away test against Orlando Pirates.

Meanwhile, on Sunday at 17:30, Marumo will be in action in a bottom-of-the-log clash against Orbit College FC.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg