AmaZulu FC fought back to secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw against defending champions Orlando Pirates in a thrilling Betway Premiership encounter at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Buccaneers hit the ground running with an intense high press, quickly putting the hosts’ defence under severe strain. The relentless pressure paid off just seven minutes into the contest when former Usuthu winger Tshepang Moremi pounced on a parried save from goalkeeper Faveur Kouassi to slot home the opening goal for the visitors. Pirates nearly doubled their advantage four minutes later when Ghampani Lungu picked out Yonela Mbuthuma, who set up Camrin Dansin on the edge of the box, only for his strike to be charged down by a crowded Usuthu penalty area.
Moremi threatened again in the 20th minute by blasting an effort over the crossbar, before another defensive lapse allowed Mbuthuma clean through on goal, only to be denied by a vital block from Usuthu captain Riaan Hanamub.
The hosts gradually found their footing as Mlondi Mbanjwa had a goal ruled out for offside, but the hosts finally got their breakthrough at the stroke of halftime. After Mbanjwa was brought down inside the box, Thandolwethu Ngwenya stepped up to coolly convert the resulting penalty and send the sides into the break level.
Spurred on by coach Arthur Zwane’s halftime talk, Usuthu started the second half on the front foot, carving out several promising openings. However, Pirates soon reclaimed control of the tempo, enjoying the lion’s share of possession and continually probing for a winner. The match swung wildly in the final twenty minutes as Ngwenya missed a golden opportunity to put Usuthu ahead in the 70th minute following great work from Mbanjwa, before Pirates almost capitalised on a turnover just a minute later. Patrick Maswanganyi intercepted a loose ball from Siyanda Hlangabeza to set up Mbuthuma, whose one-on-one effort was brilliantly saved by Kouassi before rattling off the crossbar.
Kouassi proved to be the hero once more in the 80th minute, expertly holding a closerange header from Maswanganyi as the visitors piled on late pressure. Despite frantic attacks from both ends in the closing stages, the two sides ultimately cancelled each other out to settle for a well-earned share of the spoils.
Reflecting on the game, coach Zwane praised his side’s resilience, particularly their second-half showing. “I must commend the players, they fought really well, in the second half obviously,” Zwane remarked. “When you play against a quality side like Orlando Pirates you’ve got to be smart, you can’t just open up. You have to remain
compact, be tactically disciplined and also wait for those moments, then when the game opens up you put them under pressure.”
Zwane also noted where his side fell short of taking all three points, highlighting their wasteful play in transition. “We had a lot of turnovers, we were just giving the ball back to Pirates, and that obviously gave them the advantage and belief that they can get the second goal,” Zwane added. “I’ll take the point, but I think this is one game where we should’ve done better, especially in the first half to take maximum points.” He concluded.
Usuthu now set their sight on another home league fixture on Saturday against Siwelele at same the venue, with kickoff scheduled at 15:00.
AmaZulu XI: Kouassi, Mthethwa, Fielies, Hanamub, Radebe, Zikhali (Mhlongo 60′), Hlangabeza, Mdaka, Maqokolo (Mashigo 86′), Mbanjwa (Sithole 86′), Ngwenya (Mokoena 73′)
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Sebelebele (Kgosietsile 64′), Seema, Sibisi, Ndaba (Hotto 63′), Dansin, Nduli (Mokobodi 55′), Lunga, Maswanganyi, Moremi (Appolis 64′), Mbuthuma (Radiopane 77′)