KAIZER CHIEFS (1) 2
Mphahlele 18-og, Ofori 63-pg
AMAZULU (1) 2
Moremi 23, Kambindu 60
USUTHU WOULD have left the FNB Stadium a disappointed lot given that they scored all four goals in this match, yet still had to share the points with Amakhosi.
Goalkeeper Ricahrd Ofori was his typical calamitous self as he committed costly errors that led to the Chiefs’ goals. In the first half, the Ghanaian inexplicably fluffed a high ball crossed by Reeve Frosler, which he looked to have covered.
Debutant Tashreeq Morris made a nuisance of himself in the box as he battled for a touch and AmaZulu captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele could only succeed in pushing the ball into his own net.
Things got worse after the break as Ofori contrived to rob his team of their lead, this time the goalkeeper pushed an innocuous looking ball into his own goals as Chiefs piled on the pressure.
Coach Arhtur Zwane, back at the FNB Stadium for the first time after leaving Amakhosi for Usuthu, was incredibly forgiving of the costly errors made by his No 1, as he praised Ofori for having kept them in the game with some good saves.
This Betway Premiership match had it all, as the two teams went at each other hammer and tongs, Chiefs opening the scoring as they did early own via that Mphahlele own goal. But they were not ahead for too long as AmaZulu pegged them back within five minutes, courtesy of a goal by Tshepang Moremi after he was sent through by Player of the Match Rowan Human.
Usuthu then took the lead on the hour mark via a headed goal by Namibian Elmo Kambindu but Chiefs were swift in trying to restore parity as Pule Mmodi missed a sitter two minutes later. Ofori again nearly cost his team as he punched the ball clear but only straight at the Chiefs man.
Somewhat not over that glaring miss against Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby at the weekend, Mmodi ballooned the ball when finding the net looked much easier.
Chiefs were not deterred though, as they piled on the pressure and in one attack the ball ricocheted off the crossbar with Ofrori helpless. The home side were alert and got to the looseball quickest and a seemingly harmless cross appeared bound for Ofori’s gloves.
Incredulously, the goalkeeper directed it over his head and into the net when grabbing it appeared easier.
There was still a lot of time left in the match and either of the two sides could have scored the winner. And they both made a go for it with chances coming thick and fast in both goals. But none ended up in the net, with Chiefs full debutants Morris, Thabo Cele and particularly Glody Lilpeo impressive.
The Congolese ran himself ragged on the right flank and was a constant threat, particularly in the first half, as he took pot shots at the AmaZulu goal and created opportunities for Morris who also looked threatening.
No wonder then that coach Nasredinne Nabi spoke highly of the trio at the end of the match.
Could they be the ones to help Chiefs finally make their dominant plays result in victory?
This draw – even though achieved via own goals – could well have been a win for Amakhosi who dominated possession and created the most scoring chances.
In the end though they had to be content with a single point that does their standings on the table no good as they remained fifth while Arthur Zwane and Usuthu moved two places up to seventh.
In the other matches played on Tuesday night, 10-man Richards Bay beat Gallants with two late strikes by Justice Figuareido and Ntlonelo Bomelo in the 86th and 88th minutes, respectively. At the time of publication Magesi and Chippa United were locked 1-1 in their league clash, which was called off after 20 minutes due to a power failure. The game will resume on Wednesday.