Durban - AmaZulu had to settle for a point for the second match in a row when their Absa Premiership clash against SuperSport United ended in a 1-1 draw at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night.
Thuso Phala broke the deadlock early in the first half but the two sides went into the break on level terms after Usuthu equalised through an own-goal from Bevan Fransman.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 9th minute when Phala collected a pass from Mame Niang on the left before producing a cool finish to steer the ball past Tapuwa Kapini.
Usuthu almost equalised in the 16th minute but Ronwen Williams pulled off a brilliant reflex save to palm Carlington Nyadombo’s powerful header over the crossbar.
A minute later, Manqana should’ve hit the target from close range following a great run and cross from Ayanda Dlamini on the right, but the midfielder failed to connect with the ball.
The equaliser eventually arrived in the 28th minute when Fransman deflected the ball over Williams and into the back of his own net while trying to clear a low cross from Nkosinathi Mthiyane.
Mthiyane came close to firing his side ahead on the stroke of half time when he ran onto a brilliant through-pass from Manqana, but his shot went just wide of the far upright.
Craig Rosslee’s side continued to dominate in the second half and threatened to take the lead with Kulegani Madondo firing over the bar in the 49th minute, while Marc Van Heerden curled his freekick straight at Williams on the hour mark.
The SuperSport United goalkeeper then pulled off two good saves to keep his side in the match, denying Ayanda Dlamini from close range in the 72nd minute before keeping out a skidding effort from Sithembiso Ngcobo in the 83rd minute.
Ngcobo came close to netting a late winner for his side in the third minute of added time when he stole possession from Enocent Mkhabela inside the box, only to be denied by a good block from Williams.
The result leaves AmaZulu in fourth place with 11 points, while SuperSport United regain their place at the top of the standing with the same number of points and a better goal difference.