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Cape Town - It was all honours even at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Tuesday night as AmaZulu and Orlando Pirates played to an entertaining goalless draw in the Absa Premiership.
Despite the scoreline, the match did produce some noteworthy moments, with both sides denied by the woodwork in the first half. Usuthu created the bulk of their chances after the interval but with many of their chances speculative efforts from range, Pirates were able to hold firm with relative ease.
AmaZulu were dealt a blow in the lead up to the match after losing first-choice goalkeeper Siya Mbatha to injury, with Neil Boshoff thrust straight into the starting line-up.
However, the change of keepers did not have much bearing on the match, with both sides struggling to hit the target throughout.
The visitors started brightly and managed to create their first noteworthy chance after five minutes, Gabadinho Mhango letting Boshoff off the hook after firing over the bar from close range.
Just five minutes later, the Buccaneers were given a real scare when Siyethemba Sithebe's powerful shot from distance beat Wayne Sandilands in the Pirates goal before smashing against the crossbar.
Pirates responded with a great chance of their own in the 17th minute, but they too were denied by the woodwork after Vincent Pule's header came back off the post.
Xolani Mlambo fired straight into the grateful arms of Usuthu keeper Boshoff in the 25th minute, but that was the last chance of note as the first half drew to a close with a scores still locked at 0-0.
The second half started at a cautious pace but sprang to life in the 52nd minute when Sbusiso Magaqa fired wide of the goal from outside the box.
Pirates hit back just two minutes later as Asavela Mbekile bombed down the right flank before squaring the ball to Pule, who failed to capitalise as he fired over the bar.
AmaZulu were happy to try their luck from range but they were unable to test Sandilands as efforts from Sithebe and Sbusiso Mabiliso flew high and wide.
The hosts kept pushing forward and finally managed a shot on target in the 75th minute. Andre de Jong powered through the Bucs midfield before unleashing a powerful effort at goal, forcing Sandilands into making a diving save to his right.
But that was the last noteworthy chance of the second stanza, with the two side forced to settle for a share of the spoils after failing to fashion a late winner.
