AmaZulu battled back to secure a point against Horoya in their final CAF Champions League group stage encounter on Friday evening.
Result: Horoya 1-1 AmaZulu
Date: 01 April 2022
Venue: Stade General Lansana
Usuthu made wholesale changes from the defeat against Raja Casablanca, as the likes of Veli Mothwa, Luvuyo Memela and Keagan Buchanan did not travel with the team, while Gabonese shot-stopper Jean-Noel Amonome was given his debut.
Horoya were on the front foot in the early stages but only opened up the AmaZulu defence in the 21st minute after Boniface Haba went through on goal in the box but played his cut-back just behind Yakhouba Barry.
The home side continued to keep AmaZulu back-pedalling in their own half, asking them questions but they were let down by the final pass in the last third.
However, Dramane Nikiema produced a moment of brilliance for Horoya on the stroke of halftime after breaking the deadlock with a first-time curling shot on the edge of the box that sailed into the top corner after he was teed up by Ismael Camara.
AmaZulu had a perfect start in the second stanza as they found the equaliser within three minutes from the restart after Salif Coulibaly headed a cross by Thabo Qalinge into his own net at the near post.
The visitors contained Horoya better as the second stanza progressed and were finding gaps on transitions but lacked the cutting edge in the final third, as Manousakis brought on the likes of Hendrick Ekstein and Bonginkosi Ntuli in the latter stages for fresh legs in attack.
The South African outfit posed more threat in attack ten minutes before time as goalkeeper Moussa Camara produced a double save to keep out strikes by Lehlohonolo Majoro and Qalinge.
The game was on the edge in the dying minutes, and Sandile Khumalo came very close to snatching the winner for AmaZulu with a free header that sailed slightly over the crossbar as the encounter ended all square.
Usuthu finished in third place in Group B, three points ahead of the Guinean side.
AmaZulu: Amonome, Malepe, Zulu, Xoki, Gumede, Moremi, Khumalo, Mlambo, Qalinge, Maduna, Ntuli.
Subs: Boshoff, Masilela, Mzavam Sikhakhane, Kunene, Makhaula, Magaqa, Ekstein, Majoro
