AmaZulu had to settle for a share of the spoils after Sekhukhune United scored a late equaliser to clinch a 1-1 draw at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night.
Arthur Zwane’s side had led for much of the game after new signing Thando Ngwenya scored his first goal for the club on 17 minutes, but they were denied all three points when Ronaldo Maarman hit back for Babina Noko in the closing stages.
Usuthu created the better chances in the first half despite only having 30 per cent of the possession and Ngwenya should have opened the scoring in the 15th minute when he raced through on goal, only to shoot wide with only Renaldo Leaner to beat.
Ngwenya made amends soon afterwards though, as he was left with a simple tap-in from close range following good work from Andiswa Sithole to set him up.
Darren Johnson was required to make two saves before half-time to ensure we took our one-goal lead into the break, although the goalkeeper was forced off on 56 minutes after picking up an injury in the first half which he was unable to shake off.
Ngwenya almost doubled our advantage on 79 minutes when he struck the crossbar after getting on the end of Mlondi Mbanjwa’s cross, but heartbreak was soon to follow as Maarman hit back for the league leaders five minutes later.
Riaan Hanamub then received his marching orders in the 92nd minutes after being shown a straight red card, however, the AmaZulu fans still had something to cheer for as Wandile Dube made his top-flight debut as a late replacement for Sithole.
Sekhukhune United (0) 1 (Maarman 84′)
AmaZulu (1) 1 (Ngwenya 17′)
AmaZulu: D. Johnson (O. Mzimela 56′), N. Radebe, K. Allan, T. Fielies, S. Mthethwa, R. Hanamub, S. Hlangabeza, B. Motshwari, H. Ekstein (M. Mbanjwa 68′), A. Sithole (W. Dube 90+6′), T. Ngwenya.
