DStv Premiership Mamelodi Sundowns let a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 with AmaZulu on Wednesday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: AmaZulu 2-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 03 May 2023
Venue: Princess Magogo Stadium
Sundowns made wholesale changes following their win over Belouizdad in the CAF Champions League quarter-final second-leg, as only goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, Themba Zwane and Peter Shalulile remained in the line-up, with the likes of Gaston Sirino, Bongani Zungu and Haashim Domingo brought in.
The Brazilians were on the front foot in the early stages, with Zwane looking lively on the ball in search of the likes of Shalulile and Sirino but AmaZulu contained them well.
Rulani Mokwena's charges, however, eventually found a gap on 26 minutes after Sirino slipped Zungu through on goal and the Bafana Bafana midfielder made no mistake from close-range.
Sundowns dropped deep in their own half after that but they had spaces on transitions as Shalulile had a chance ten minutes before the break after a through ball by Zwane but he got under his shot at the near post that sailed over the crossbar.
Coming from deep, Zwane nearly doubled the lead for the visitors just before the interval with a shot on the edge of the box that deflected off Shalulile and flashed just wide of the gaping net.
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The game opened up in the opening exchanges of the second stanza as Rally Bwalya came close to equalising for Usuthu five minutes in with a looped shot over Williams that was headed off the line by Rushine De Reuck.
Sundowns also had chances on transitions and Shalulile gave them a two-goal cushion and scored his 12th goal of the league season shortly before the hour-mark with a low drive unmarked in the box after a through ball by Lebohang Maboe.
Mokwena rested Zwane and Shalulile just after that as he brought on the fresh legs of Bradley Ralani and Thabiso Kutumela.
Usuthu had a fight in them as Ramahlwe Mphahlele reduced the deficit moments later against his former side with a glancing header at the near post from a corner.
The Brazilians could not regain their rhythm as Junior Dion levelled matters for Ayanda Dlamini's men in the last six minutes with a curling shot in the box that took a slight deflection and got away from Williams.
Sundowns could still not find another gear going forward and were held to a 2-2 draw by spirited Usuthu, who got a vital point in their bid to avoid a relegation scrape.
Here's how they lined up:
AmaZulu: 30. February, 5. Sikhakhane, 4. Hanamub, 23. Mphahlele, 2. Mobara, 4. Malepe, 50. Bwalya, 12. Maluleka, 7. Ntuli, 18. Brooks, 15. Zuma
Subs: 1. Mzimela, 36. Kunene, 17. Gumede, 22. Khumalo, 45. Buchanan, 42. Mabiliso, 15. Kwem, 20. Majoro, 33. Dion
Mamelodi Sundowns: 32. Williams, 34. Mashego, 3. De Reuck, 5. Lebusa, 8. Zungu, 31. Nkosi, 39. Maboe, 23. Domingo, 18. Zwane, 10. Sirino, 38. Shalulile.
Subs: 1. Pieterse, 19. Boutouil, 25. Mudau, 37. Ngobeni, 41. Coetzee, 17. Modiba, 24. Mokoena, 28. Ralani, 12. Kutumela.
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