Staff Reporter.
AmaZulu and SuperSport United played out a goalless stalemate in their catch-up DStv Premiership fixture played at the Kings Park Stadium in Durban on Tuesday evening.
The result, which saw both teams end the game with 10 men, means Usuthu have still not scored a goal this season and find themselves in 15th place on the log, while Matsatsantsa move up to second spot on five points, two adrift of leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
AmaZulu had the first notable attack of the game, with a move built down their left flank ending with Makhehlene Makhaula shooting high and wide from long range in the 11th minute.
A short while later it was SuperSport’s turn to threaten, as Jesse Donn and Iqraam Rayners combined well to tee up Kudkwashe Mahachi for a shot, but his effort was straight at goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.
Matsatsantsa created the best chance of the first half on 36 minutes when the pace of Iqraam Rayners saw him sprint in behind the hosts’ defence, but he was denied one-on-on-one by Mothwa to ensure the interval arrived with the teams level at 0-0.
The start of the second half was delayed by approximately 15 minutes due to an issue with the stadium lights. Once back under way, SuperSport made a tactical switch by withdrawing wide man Mahachi for striker Thamsanqa Gabuza.
The introduction of his usual strike partner seemed to bring Bradley Grobler to life, as he first sent a shot wide of the mark early in the second half and then saw a goal-bound header from a corner kick turned away by Mothwa just before the hour mark.
AmaZulu’s hopes of seizing control of the game were scrapped on 74 minutes when defender Tercious Malepe received a straight red card for a studs-up challenge which caught the ankle of Jamie Webber.
“I have to see the brighter side of it. I think it is a game which we could have easily lost,” Amazulu coach Benni McCarthy said.
We got a point out of it and I have to commend the players for not losing their minds. You win the ball and the opposition gets a free-kick. It looked like it was a one-sided affair with one team.
“I don’t want to be controversial and our league is precious. We demand teams to step up their game and make this league what it is.
“There was nothing there [for us]. The referee, with all the experience he has in this league, the performance he gave was shameful. But, nevertheless, that was two teams who wanted to win the game, they both went for it, addded McCarthy.
SuperSport, with a numerical advantage, enjoyed a spell of dominance and should have claimed a winning goal on 86 minutes when Siyabonga Nhlapo’s cross from the right picked out Rayners, who struck an effort over the top from inside the six-yard box.
In the final minute of regulation time United were also reduced to 10 men when Luke Fleurs received a second yellow card and was shown his marching orders.Usuthu were boosted by a return to parity but could not find a way to sneak a late winner.
Amazulu will now prepare to visit Big Bullets for the second leg as they face the possibility of elimination from the Champions League.