AmaZulu fought back bravely with 10 men to snatch a share of the spoils against Siwelele and keep their top-three ambitions alive in a Betway Premiership clash at Dr Molemola Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday afternoon.
Substitute Mlondi Mbanjwa cancelled out Vincent Pule’s opener as the visitors staged a resolute second-half rearguard action, despite a red card for Nkosikhona Radebe.
It took a moment of brilliance from Siwelele attacking midfielder Pule in the 30th minute to ignite an otherwise dour first half. He rose highest between two Usuthu central defenders to glance a curling Gamphani Lungu cross from the right beyond the reach of Olwethu Mzimela and into the bottom left corner. The goal was Pule’s fourth of the season.
Usuthu coach Arthur Zwane cut a frustrated figure when Athini Maqokolo squandered a great chance to draw level before the break, his attempted cross sailing harmlessly out of play after a promising breakaway.
The visitors from KwaZulu-Natal had plenty of work to do after the interval and started the second stanza on the front foot, with a dangerous free-kick causing havoc in the Siwelele box. They began to control the tempo, and Maqokolo was denied an equaliser by a fine save at his feet from Ricardo Goss.
Just as the tide appeared to be turning, Radebe was shown a second yellow card in the 59th minute, leaving AmaZulu with an uphill battle.
However, substitute Mbanjwa injected fresh attacking impetus and provided the breakthrough, robbing defender Pogiso Sanoka of possession before rifling the ball into the net.
Despite late pressure, Siwelele were unable to find a winner.
The hard-fought draw leaves Usuthu in fourth place, level on 39 points with Kaizer Chiefs, who face TS Galaxy on Sunday.
Siwelele 1 (1)
Pule 30′
AmaZulu 1 (0)
Mbanjwa 80′
