Posted on March 17, 2012 22:37
Despite an inspiring performance by AmaZulu in a league match against Moroka Swallows at the Donbsonville Stadium in Soweto, Usuthu were still not lucky enough to get the much-needed three points - reports amazulufc.net Gauteng.
The Durban-based outfit put up a gallant fight against The Dube Birds but still played to a 1-all draw.
The game got off to a pacey start with both teams in search of an early goal. AmaZulu still from their impressive midweek performance against Ajax Cape Town in the Nedbank Cup didn’t waste time before they settled into the game, pushing forward in a bid to continue with their winning form.
But with Swallows having played to a disappointing draw against Free State Stars earlier in the week, they were just as adamant to redeem themselves. As a result, the game became an end-to-end affair with little action in the middle of the park.
It was Moroka Swallows who, following their constant knocks on the AmaZulu goals, got rewarded. Having tried a few long-range shots outside the 18-yard area, Siyabonga Nomvethe found himself with a lot of space within the penalty area.
The former Bafana Bafana striker unleashed a powerful shot that gave Tapuwa Kapini no chance as it banged into the bag of the net. A few minutes later, Ayanda Dlamini beat the Swallows offside trap.
One-on-one with Etafia, he took a shot that was more a deflection off Etafia than a safe from the keeper as the ball went into corner. Mxolisi Mayongo almost levelled the score from the resultant corner, but Etafia dealt efficiently with his attempt.
On the stroke of halftime, Bennett Chenene had an opportunity to double the lead, but his shot went just wide.
The score was 1-0 in favour of Swallows at halftime.
Some serious halftime talk in the AmaZulu dressing room seemed to have spurred the visiting team on in the second half as they kept taking some long-range shots in search of an equaliser.
On the 89th minute the Dlamini-combination proofed too difficult to contain for Swallows. Ayanda Dlamini broke loose on the right and sent in a low cross, which found Goodman Dlamini waiting impatiently at the end of it. He didn’t make a mistake as he tapped the ball into the net to level matters.
With the scoreline at 1-all, the tempo if the game increased again as the renewed search for the all-important goal ensued. Thamsanqa Sangweni broke through the middle and found himself one-on-one with Etafia. His powerful shot was good enough to beat the advancing Etafia, but not equally good enough to beat the post. Swallows immediately responded when Bennett Chenene sent in a cross, which found Nomvethe waiting like a predator in the box, but Kapini was equally alert.
The end-to-end affair continued by both teams, but none of the two teams was lucky enough to get the all-important goal as they shared the spoils.