Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu served up an entertaining clash that ended 2-2 at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday but it showed both the good and bad sides of both teams.
With Chiefs fielding all his three new signings Tashreeq Morris, Glody Lilepo and Thabo Cele, the intentions were very clear for coach Nasreddine Nabi as he sought to go all out.
His team responded well as they nearly scored in the first minute were it not from a double save from AmaZulu goalkeeper Richard Ofori, who kept away efforts from Morris and Mduduzi Shabalala.
Shabalala then missed from close range after a sweet cut-back from Lilepo in the seventh minute after which drama ensued.
Ten minutes later, Chiefs were celebrating the first goal after Lilepo brought in a cross that Ofori came out for but failed to catch, and the ball fell to Ramahlwe Mphahlele, whose attempt to clear under pressure failed to yield fruit as it went into the net instead.
Usuthu trouble Chiefs at FNB
Morris wheeled away in celebration as it looked like he had scored through his chest during the melee but it was awarded as an own goal after Mphahlele got the last touch.
Five minutes later, AmaZulu got the equaliser when Rowan Human found Tshepang Moremi with a defence-splitting pass that got the striker in on goal and he fired past Bruce Bvuma for 1-1.
By this time, Ofori’s shaky goalkeeping had not stopped as he nearly made a mess of an easy shot from Shabalala, which he should have saved easily, and his poor display would prove costly later.
Two more chances fell to Chiefs before halftime when Morris was played in on goal by Miguel Inacio but fired wide while Ofori kept out a shot from Lilepo.
After the break, drama ensued as Chiefs’ poor defending continued when they allowed Elmo Kambindu a free header as he put Usuthu ahead in the 60th minute from Human’s corner but a minute later, Amakhosi should have drawn level.
How did Chiefs snatch the draw?
A good move forward saw Pule Mmodi take out his markers as well as the goalkeeper but he hesitated, allowing defenders back in the box, but with Ofori in no man’s land, he blazed high.
However, a minute later, Chiefs were gifted another own goal, Ofori continuing his horror show. Lilepo’s header from the back post bounced and it looked like an easy catch for Ofori but the former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper made a mess of it, the ball dropping past the line, as the referee blew for the goal.
It was the second own goal of the match, and seventh of the season from AmaZulu, who should have won the game were it not for their mistakes, after surviving a barrage of Chiefs’ attacks.
However, despite both team’s best efforts to win the match, it ended 2-2, Chiefs settling for a fourth draw of the season that leaves them on 22 points, and still in fifth place, while AmaZulu moved to seventh on the log with 20 points.
Nabi will be left disappointed that his side failed to utilise the many chances they created, a recurring problem this season that was not solved even with the presence of new signings, while it is now two games without victory for the Glamour Boys following last weekend's 1-0 loss in the Soweto derby.
