Usuthu draw with Maritzburg in KZN Derby

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Oct 03, 2018. 01:03

AmaZulu FC and Maritzburg United played to a 0-0 draw in an Absa Premiership match at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Tuesday.

As a result, Usuthu remained 16th on the league standings, while the Team of Choice climbed up to 11th place.

The visitors were presented with a glorious goal-scoring opportunity just 13 minutes into the encounter.

Ivorian forward Yannick Zakri was sent through on goal, but his effort was cleared off the line.

The follow up from Zakri's Maritzburg team-mate Keletso Makgalwa missed the target as the visitors looked to break the deadlock.

Usuthu took control of the game as it progressed and Marc Van Heerden missed the target in the 28th minute.

Van Heerden, who joined Usuthu from Orlando Pirates prior to the start of the current season, was looking lively for the hosts.

The full-back set-up his team-mate Emiliano Tade with a good cross in the 38th minute, but the latter placed his header wide of the target.

Maritzburg were able to contain AmaZulu until the match referee blew the half-time whistle and the score was 0-0 at the interval.

The Team of Choice threatened first after the restart through their frontman Justice Figuaredo in the 53rd minute.

The marksman forced AmaZulu shot-stopper Siyabonga Mbatha into a great save as the visitors looked to break the deadlock.

Usuthu also tried their luck from range through Bonginkosi Ntuli and Siyabonga Sithebe just after hour-mark, but their efforts missed the target.

It was end-to-end stuff as Figuaredo forced Mbatha into a great save in the 71st minute as the two teams searched for a late winner.

However, the two teams were unable to find a late winner and the KZN Derby ended in a goalless draw.

AmaZulu 0

Maritzburg 0

AmaZulu XI: Mbatha, Sikhakhane, Ouro-Akoriko, Van Heerden, M.Gumede, Darpoh (Morton 84'), Vilakazi, Sithebe, Karuru (Maduna 77'), Tade, Ntuli.

Maritzburg XI: Ofori, Sanoko, Xulu, Onyango, De Reuck, Kunene (Kunene 70'), Shandu, Makaringe, Makgalwa (Figuaredo 46'), Ndlovu, Zakri (Mokate 85').