AmaZulu work hard to avoid embarrassing home defeat to Chippa

AmaZulu FC had to dig deep to save a point when they drew 2-2 with Chippa United in an exciting DStv Premiership match at Kings Park Stadium in Durban on Tuesday afternoon. 

The Durban side have now played 13 draws this season which sees them not anywhere near where they were expected to be after last season’s impressive second place finish.  

AmaZulu had to come from behind to earn a point with Kurt Lentjies’ Chippa side giving as much as they took in this game.  

It was clear from the onset that both sides wanted something out of the game. Usuthu had the first bite with Lehlohonolo Majoro testing Ismael Watenga with a stinging shot but the Chilli Boys keeper was equal to the task and tipped the effort wide. 

Things went south for Usuthu in the 23rd minute. An effort to rebuild from the back went horribly wrong for Benni McCarthy’s side. 

Sandile Khumalo passed the ball back to Veli Mothwa but the keeper was put under pressure by Bienvenu Eva Nga. Mothwa tried to dribble the striker but the ball ended up in his net. 

And six minutes later, Eva Nga scored his second when another back pass from an AmaZulu player, this time Xola Mlambo allowed him to find himself one on one with the keeper and he sent it to the net.  

With a few minutes to the end of the first half, Chippa had a glorious chance to go 3-0 up, but Thokozane Sekotlong could not make a proper connection and sent his shot wide with the goal at his mercy. 

It was all Usuthu in the second half with Chippa sitting back and absorbing the pressure. But their strategy was not going to work as Luvuyo Memela came off the bench to bring the home side back into the game with a headed goal in the 60th minute. 

The former Orlando Pirates attacker was on target again in the 82nd minute with the equaliser for Usuthu. Eva Nga thought he had got his hat trick a minute after that goal, but he was ruled to have been offside.