AmaZulu remain without a win under coach Romain Folz after playing to a goalless draw against Marumo Gallants on Wednesday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Marumo Gallants 0-0 AmaZulu
Date: 26 October 2022
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Gallants made three changes following their narrow loss to Mamelodi Sundowns, as they were boosted by the return of Lesiba Nku, Olivier Toure and Sibusiso Kumalo.
Usuthu had a similar number of alterations after their goalless draw against Kaizer Chiefs, as the suspensions of Makhehleni Makhaula and Tercious Malepe saw Keagan Buchanan, Ethan Brooks and Mbongeni Gumede recalled.
Dan Malesela's charges took the game to their visitors in the early stages but only carved out the first opening on 24 minutes after Thato Khiba made a decisive cut-back for Celimpilo Ngema, who saw his shot blocked by Buchanan.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa gained more momentum and Nku had a chance a chance to break the deadlock just after the half-hour mark after a pass by Riyaaz Nell in the box gave him a sight at goal but his strike was well saved by goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.
Romain Folz's men kept on back-pedaling and they were nearly punished on the stroke of halftime after Katlego Otladisa unleashed a threatening strike from the edge of the box that forced a save out of Mothwa.
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Gallants continued to be the more aggressive side early in the second stanza, with Usuthu content sitting deep and looking to get out from counter-attack.
However, AmaZulu lacked the cutting edge going forward and Folz made a tactical change on 65 minutes as Sphesihle Maduna replaced Gabadinho Mhango, who was quiet in the game. Gallants, in the same moment, looked to inject pace in their attack as Joseph Malongoane replaced Nku in a tactical switch.
The visitors were the ones who seized the momentum as they had a promising attack in the last 20 minutes after George Maluleka latched onto a through ball by Thembela Sikhakhane in the box but he dragged his shot narrowly wide.
It was all to play for in the closing stages as both sides looked to get the winner and Malongoane made an impact for Gallants as he setup Ngema to have a crack at goal with six minutes left on the edge of the box but Mothwa made fine stop in the bottom corner and the game eventually ended all square.
A point moved AmaZulu into the top eight while Gallants moved off the bottom of the log to 15th with ten points.
Here's how they lined up:
Marumo Gallants: 36. Arubi, 2. Nkili, 45. Toure, 5. Mabotja, 7. Nku, 12. Khiba, 11. Otladisa, 30. Kumalo, 23. Mdlinzo, 10. Ngema, 35. Nell.
Subs: 16. Watenga, 13. Kgoetyane, 29. Gumede, 15. Mphambaniso, 17. Mohomi, 21. Molangoane, 6. Soumaro, Chivaviro.
AmaZulu: 44. Mothwa, 5. Sikhakhane, 14. Hanamub, 23. Mphahlele, 17. Gumede, 45. Buchanan, 18. Brooks, 50. Bwalya, 12. Maluleka, 9. Kwem, 11. Mhango.
Subs: 38. Amonome, 24. Zulu, 42. Mabiliso, 21. Ceesay, 2. Mobara, 37. Shange, 10. Maduna, 35. Kunene, 3. Ndlovu.
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