There was a dramatic finish in the KwaZulu-Natal derby as Maritzburg United and AmaZulu drew 1-1 at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: Maritzburg United 1-1 AmaZulu
Date: 03 February 2023
Venue: Harry Gwala Stadium
Maritzburg gave on-loan Orlando Pirates forward Kwame Peprah his debut in the line-up alongside first starts for Jose Ali Meza and Bradley Cross.
Usuthu, meanwhile, handed Sibusiso Mabiliso only his second start of the campaign tagging along recalls for Veluyeke Zulu and Sphesihle Maduna.
Romain Folz's charges were forceful in the early stages, as they put United under pressure and Abbubaker Mobara came close to capping off their dominance with a goal on 22 minutes with a dipping strike from just outside the box that brought the best out of goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner.
The Team of Choice weathered the storm in rainy conditions and ten minutes later Peprah punished AmaZulu after he guided a diving header past shot-stopper Veli Mothwa from a cross by Karim Kimvuidi following a corner.
Usuthu were subdued after that as they could re-establish their rhythm going forward and Fadlu Davids' men were happy to keep their shape at the back and went to the interval with a narrow lead.
The game opened up early in the second stanza as Genino Palace had a chance to double the lead for United after he was left unmarked on the edge of the box to have a go at Mothwa but dragged his shot just wide.
Maritzburg, however, retreated more in their own half after the hour-mark and Peprah had a big chance on 65 minutes after he raced on goal from a transition attack but he scooped his shot just wide, one-on-one with the Bafana Bafana shot-stopper.
AmaZulu needed the cutting edge upfront and Folz eventually brought on Bonginkosi Ntuli just after that in place of Thabo Qalinge and Davids also went for an attacking change in the last 16 minutes despite leading, as Friday Samu replaced Peprah for fresh legs.
Usuthu had the momentum in the dying minutes and Junior Dion almost snatched the equaliser in the last minute with a glancing header that came off the base of the post and new signing Guily Manziba could also not covert from the rebound in front of goal.
Here's how they lined up:
Maritzburg United: 32. Leaner, 5. Makume, 3. De Goede, 28. Palace, 2. Cross, 10. Human, 23. Moloisane, 45. Jooste, 14. Meza, 26. Kimvuidi, 46. Peprah
Subs: 31. Ndlovu, 4. Hlongwa, 20. Samu, 22. Theron, 6. Graham, 40. Buthelezi, 12. Njoti, 16. Ritchie, 11. Soukouna
AmaZulu: 44. Mothwa, 5. Sikhakhane, 42. Mabiliso, 24. Zulu, 2. Mobara, 4. Malepe, 50. Bwalya, 10. Maduna, 47. Qalinge, 33. Dion, 15. Zuma
Subs: 30. February, 17. Gumede, 36. Kunene, 45. Buchanan, 12. Maluleka, 3. Ndlovu, 35. Manziba, 27. Ekstein, 7. Ntuli
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