Staff Reporter.
(SS) – Marumo Gallants and AmaZulu played out a goalless stalemate in their DStv Premiership match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Wednesday evening.
The result means Bahlabane ba Ntwa have drawn nine straight home games in the Premiership (a run which stretches back to last season) and have still managed just one win in 2022-23, though the point earned was enough to lift them off the foot of the table on goal difference – with Sekhukhune United dropping into 16th place.
Usuthu, meanwhile, have gone nine matches without a win across all competitions. They are placed eighth on the log on 14 points – just four clear of Gallants and Sekhukhune. In addition, new coach Romain Folz continues to seek his first win in South African football.
The first major chance at goal went the way of Marumo in the 10th minute, with AmaZulu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa failing to claim a free-kick delivery from the right flank which allowed Ismael Toure a sight of goal, but his scuffed effort was cleared away by Augustine Kwem.
Midway through the first half, the hosts created another chance to claim the lead, with Thato Khiba providing a fine low cross from the right flank to pick out the late run of Celimpilo Ngema, but the midfielder blazed his shot off target.
Gallants continued to make all the running and were close to an opening goal on 35 minutes when Riyaaz Nell teed up Lesiba Nku to skip past a defender and shoot on goal, but Mothwa made a fine save at his left-hand upright to keep the scoreline blank.
The Usuthu keeper made another notable save on 43 minutes, palming away Katlego Otladisa’s long-range shot which took an awkward bounce just ahead of him, while in injury time he deflected a cross from the same player goal-ward, but was bailed out by a clearance off the line from Riaan Hanamub.
AmaZulu succeeded in being more solid in defence early in the second half, though they did not offer any real threat going forward, leading to the introductions of Mxolisi Kunene and Sphesihle Maduna just before the hour mark.
Marumo responded with a triple substitution midway through the second stanza, as Joseph Molangoane, Lucky Mohomi and Ranga Chivaviro came off the bench in an effort to tilt the game in favour of Bahlabane ba Ntwa.
On 71 minutes, AmaZulu created the best chance either side had enjoyed to that point, with Thembela Sikhakhane’s excellent pass through the lines allowing George Maluleka to run in on goal, but he dragged his effort wide under pressure from the on-rushing goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
Six minutes later, Marumo saw another effort cleared off the line, with Mohomi heading on target at a corner kick, but Kunene was well placed at the back post to keep the score at 0-0.
That proved to be the last clear scoring chance at either end, with Bahlabane ba Ntwa and Usuthu ultimately settling for a share of the spoils.
The teams will return to DStv Premiership action this weekend, with Marumo at home to Cape Town City on Saturday 29 October, while AmaZulu will welcome Stellenbosch FC on Sunday 30 October.