AmaZulu, SuperSport United fire blanks
AMAZULU’S frustrations continued as they were held to a goalless draw by SuperSport United at Jonsson Kings Park in Durban in a game where both sides ended with 10 men.
Usuthu coach Benni McCarthy made five changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Nyasa Big Bullets in the CAF Champions League last Friday.
Usuthu look a shadow of the team that they were last season. They were dealt an early scare when the injury-prone Keagan Buchanan fell to the ground within the first minute following a tussle with SuperSport’s Siyabonga Nhlapo. Fortunately for Usuthu, the 30-year-old was quickly on his feet again.
The best chance in the first half fell to AmaZulu’s Siphelele Mthembu after a SuperSport defensive mishap. The veteran slipped before the ball fell to teammate Thabo Qalinge, who missed a sitter, but his blushes were saved as he was flagged for offside.
In embarrassing circumstances for the officials, the start of the second half of the game was delayed by 15 minutes due to stadium lighting issues.
McCarthy was visibly furious with the flow of the game in the second half which was punctuated by poor discipline from both sides. There were two yellow cards for each team, before AmaZulu’s Tercious Malepe was ejected in the 73rd minute following a mistimed challenge on Jamie Webber.
Last season’s DStv Premiership top scorer Bradley Grobler did not have his scoring boots on as he fluffed a couple of chances for his side.
Webber found the striker from a corner in the latter stages of the game, but he sent his shot straight into the arms of AmaZulu keeper Veli Mothwa.
Mothwa was sturdy in goal for the Durban side as he was required to make some sharp saves, but other than that, Usuthu looked ordinary.
SuperSport were also reduced to 10 men in the 89th minute after Luke Fleurs received a red card.
Usuthu’s next game is a trip to Malawi to play against Big Bullets in the Champions League on Saturday as they look to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg.