AmaZulu FC ended their Betway Premiership campaign in sixth position on the log after a 1-1 draw with Orlando Pirates at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
The draw was enough for Usuthu to secure participation in next season’s MTN 8, which they missed out on this season.
AmaZulu’s first chance of the game came in the ninth minute through Tshepang Moremi whose effort from the edge of the area was blocked by Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
Moremi continued to pose a threat as he made a great run down the left side in the 11th minute, but had his cross scooped up by Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
Usuthu came close to opening the scoring in the 14th minute, but Etiosa Ighadaro’s header could not find the target and rattled the crossbar instead.
Richard Ofori got his first taste of action in the 26th minute, as his outstretched leg denied Deon Hotto from a tight angle.
AmaZulu found the opening goal in the 66th minute through Moremi, who squeezed past Deano Van Rooyen and Nkosinathi Sibisi on the right of the box, playing the ball across the goal and hitting Patrick Maswanganyi for an own goal.
Pirates struck back in the 77th minute through Simphiwe Selepe who hit Sandile Mthethwa’s clearance on the bounce to bring Pirates level.
Usuthu did well to deny Pirates in the game’s dying stages and hold on to secure a point in their season finale.
AmaZulu (0) 1 (P. Maswanganyi 68’ (OG))
Orlando Pirates (0) 1 (S. Selepe 77’)
AmaZulu FC: R. Ofori (A. Mbanjwa 50’) , Sikhakhane, S. Ngobeni, R. Mphahlele, S. Mthethwa, T. Fielies, B. Motshwari, B. Zungu (E. Brooks 83’), E. Ighodaro, T. Mashigo (A. Mulenga 46’) (H. Ekstein 97’), T. Moremi
Orlando Pirates: S. Chaine, N. Sibisi, M. Mbokazi (T. Xoki 21’), D. Van Rooyen, D. Hotto, S. Selepe, T. Mbatha, P. Maswanganyi (K. Kimvuidi 68’), M. Nkota (T. Moleleki 82’), R. Mofokeng, T. Mabasa (B. Radiopane 68’)
