United, Usuthu in stalemate

Johannesburg - The KwaZulu-Natal derby between Maritzburg United and AmaZulu failed to produce a winner for the second time this season when the two sides played to a 1-1 draw at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Tuesday night.

Goodman Dlamini put the visitors ahead on the stroke of half time but the home side were able to level matters in the dying minutes of the second half through Cuthbert Malajila.

Following a cagey start, it was the visitors who threatened in the 10^th minute when Kagiso Senamela fired his shot wide, while Ayanda Dlamini also saw his shot rising over the crossbar five minutes later.

Then in the 21^st minute Cuthbert Malajila should’ve pit his side ahead when he found himself face-to-face with goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini, but the Zimbabwean forward scuffed his shot wide of the target.

Four minutes later the Usuthu shot-stopper was forced to react quickly to deal with a dangerous ball that was played across by Felix Obada.

However, it was the visitors who took the lead moments before the break when Goodman Dlamini converted with a simple tap-in after receiving a cross from Ayanda Dlamini. 

The second half saw less in the form of goalmouth action but Diyo Sibisi did manage to get his shot on target in the 65^th minute, although Kapini made a comfortable save in the end.

Senamela then tried to find the target in the 75^th minute but the result was the same as the first half as he pulled his shot wide of the post.

Roger Palmgren’s men came close to extending their lead in the 89^th minute but Ayanda Dlamini was denied by a great save from Shu-aib Walters, while Goodman Dlamini failed to hit the target with his follow-up shot.

Just when it looked like the visitors would hold on for maximum points, the home crowd was sent into raptures in the second minute of added time when Malajila netted the equaliser with a well-timed volleyed shot.