AmaZulu hold Pirates to a draw in Durban
The teams were locked at 0-0 at the break.
Orlando Pirates were held to a 1-1 draw in a Betway Premiership match played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
Usuthu appeared to take all three points when Tshepang Moremi put them in the lead in the 66th minute, only for Mpho Mvelase to strike in the 77th minute to earn the Buccaneers a share of the spoils. It was the young midfielder's first goal for the Pirates first team.
ALSO READ: Misfiring Chiefs fail to reach the MTN8 again
Pirates dominated possession in the first half, but they created few goalscoring opportunities as a result Richard Ofori only made one save.
Pirates had to make an early change in the first half when Mbekezeli Mbokazi failed to recover from a knock and was replaced by Tapelo Xoki in the 21st minute.
Maswanganyi missed a good chance to put Pirates in the lead in the 24th minute when he was set up by Mohau Nkota, but the Bucs midfielder shot wide from close range.
Three minutes later, Richard Ofori denied Deon Hotto from long range as the visitors continued to ask questions from the Pirates defence.
Maswanganyi was presented with a chance to redeem himself in the 44th minute following another good buildup from Pirates, but he shot narrowly wide of goal.
The teams were locked at 0-0 at the break.
Usuthu coach Arthur Zwane made two changes at the start of the second half bringing in goalkeeper Mlondi Mbanjwa for the injured Ofori and striker Augustine Mulenga for Tebogo Mashigo.
The Buccaneers continued to dominate possession in the second half, but it was the home team that took the lead through an own goal by Maswanganyi, who tried to clear
Just when it looked as though AmaZulu were going to take all the three points on offer, Selepe grabbed the equaliser for Pirates pouncing on a loose ball inside the Usuthu penalty area and putting the ball into the net.
The result saw Pirates remaining second on the log with 60 points, 13 points behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns, while AmaZulu finished the season on position six with 35 points after 28 games.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs target prolific lower league striker amid transfer race
Kaizer Chiefs have stepped up their pursuit of one of the lower divisions' most exciting forwards, as they look to sharpen their attacking arsenal ahead of the new Betway Premiership season. A source has confirmed that Amakhosi are closely monitoring Thapelo Matlhoko, the prolific striker from Kruger United. Who has become a hot property following a string of standout performances, as per Soccer Laduma . Chiefs aren't alone in the chase, but they appear to be in the driving seat. 'Now Kaizer Chiefs are also interested in him. But let's see where he will go,' a source close to the situation said. Matlhoko first caught the eye of scouts during the ABC Motsepe League playoffs, where his finishing instincts and physical presence turned heads. Kaizer Chiefs have reportedly kept tabs on him ever since. According to the source, Marumo Gallants, Golden Arrows, and two other unnamed Betway Premiership teams have also shown interest. However, it's Chiefs who seem most determined to secure his signature. 'As much as Chiefs have enquired about him, so has Golden Arrows and two other Betway Premiership sides. But the scouts at Marumo Gallants know him better and that gives them a better chance of signing him,' the source revealed. Matlhoko's current club, Kruger United, managed to retain him last season despite previous attempts from clubs like Gallants to lure him away. This time, though, the level of interest has escalated, and Kaizer Chiefs are well-positioned to convince the player to take the next step in his career. 'It's not the first time they have shown interest in him. During the ABC Motsepe playoffs last season they wanted him but Kruger United kept him at least for another season,' said a source. With Chiefs rebuilding under pressure and seeking fresh attacking options, Matlhoko could emerge as a low-risk, high-reward addition. Will Matlhoko be able to handle the pressure at Kaizer Chiefs? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
OPINION: Chiefs shouldn't fall into another Pirates trap!
It is common knowledge that Kaizer Chiefs are in need of new and quality players in order to return to former glory days. However, they should avoid repeating the same mistakes if they are to achieve that objective now and in the future. On Friday, news broke that Orlando Pirates right-back Thabiso Monyane had been offered to Chiefs. Monyane's contract with Pirates is reportedly set to expire on 30 June, and he's yet to pen a new deal with his current employers. And Chiefs are now linked with him but they shouldn't fall into that trap… not again! Injuries and inconsistency have often kept Monyane away from the Pirates starting line-up over the years. He was promoted to the Pirates first team in 2019 – six years – but he's only featured in 95 times for them. Former Orlando Pirates defender Bongani Sam joins Kaizer Chiefs. Image: @KaizerChiefs In the olden days, players who directly moved from Pirates to Chiefs and vice-versa became household names. However, things have changed due to enormous demands and deterioration in quality in recent years. Just last season, Chiefs signed Bongani Sam from Orlando Pirates only to benefit nothing from that transfer as the player didn't kick a ball in competitive matches due to injuries and other reasons. And the question now is: Are Kaizer Chiefs prepared to go the same route with Monyane who hasn't been a regular for Pirates? On the flip side, in 2018, Pirates acquired the services of goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo from Amakhosi. Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo during training. (Photo: However, he had to retire soon afterwards due to a chronic injury, and this also happened without him kicking a ball for the Sea Robbers. Would Pirates consider signing any of Chiefs players in the future? The answer is certainly NO, and therefore, their arch-rivals should NOT. After all, Pirates are far ahead of Chiefs in recent seasons, but Amakhosi shouldn't be made to eat 'leftovers' from their rivals. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs close to snapping up SuperSport United star
Kaizer Chiefs are on the brink of securing the signature of exciting SuperSport United left-back Aphiwe Baliti, as they begin a full-scale squad rebuild ahead of the 2025/2026 season. After another underwhelming league campaign, despite lifting the Nedbank Cup, the Soweto giants are wasting no time reshaping their team for a stronger push next term. Amakhosi's failure to clinch a top eight finish in the Betway Premiership for a second consecutive year, and with it, another absence from the MTN8, has triggered urgent calls for sweeping changes. New head coach Nasreddine Nabi, brought in to steer the club in a new direction, appears ready to revamp key areas of the squad. While attacking reinforcements remain a priority. The club is equally focused on tightening up its defence, particularly at left-back, where options are dwindling. Kaizer Chiefs currently have several left-sided defensive options, including Bradley Cross, Edmilson Dove, Happy Mashiane, and Bongani Sam. However, most of these names could be on their way out. That potential triple departure has placed left-back high on Chiefs' transfer wishlist. With 23-year-old Aphiwe Baliti emerging as a top target. Baliti enjoyed a breakout campaign with SuperSport United, featuring 18 times across all competitions in 2024/2025. His performances, marked by blistering pace, high work rate, and calmness on the ball, have caught the eye of Chiefs' scouts. Sources close to the player's camp have revealed that 'a deal is almost done'. Suggesting that the youngster is on the verge of completing a switch to Naturena. Will Aphiwe Baliti be a good addition to Kaizer Chiefs? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
