Thapelo Matlhoko of AmaZulu celebrates scoring against Sekhukhune United in their Betway Premiership clash at Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban on Monday night. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: Backpagepix
AmaZulu let slip a crucial opportunity to retake third place in the Betway Premiership standings on Monday evening at Princess Magogo Stadium, after allowing Sekhukhune United to draw level twice during their continued tussle for a Top 3 finish.
The 2-2 draw between the two clubs ensures that the CAF Confederation Cup spot remains with Kaizer Chiefs — who beat Orbit College 3-1 earlier in the day — for the rest of the week. Strikes from Usuthu’s Thapelo Matlhoko and Nkosikhona Radebe were cancelled out by Olerato Mandi and Bright Ndlovu.
AmaZulu opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after striker Matlhoko headed the ball past goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner into the top-left corner. Sekhukhune United responded in the 41st minute, however, as Mandi netted the equaliser just before the break.
With the momentum on their side, Babina Noko missed two opportunities either side of half-time to take the lead. First, Lehlogonolo Mojela forced AmaZulu goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela into a save with a shot from outside the box in first-half stoppage time, before a left-footed effort by Ellis Rammala went high and wide in the 46th minute.
Coach Eric Tinkler would have rued those missed chances as, five minutes later, Radebe stroked in the hosts’ second goal. This appeared to have sealed the win, only for AmaZulu to open the door for the visitors to find a second equaliser as the match headed into its closing stages.
With 12 minutes remaining in regular time, Ndlovu denied full points to AmaZulu with a clinical right-footed strike from outside the box.
The draw saw AmaZulu drop to fourth place on 38 points, one point behind Chiefs. Although Sekhukhune would have been desperate for the win, the result does not stifle their Top 3 ambitions entirely; they leapfrog Durban City into fifth on 35 points, moving ahead of the Nedbank Cup final-bound Durbanites on goal difference.
Both sides will be in league action again on Saturday, with AmaZulu facing Siwelele in Bloemfontein, while Sekhukhune host relegation-threatened Magesi in Polokwane.