AmaZulu, Maritzburg play to draw in KZN Derby

KwaZulu-Natal rivals AmaZulu and Maritzburg United played to a 0-0 draw in an Absa Premiership fixture at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Sunday afternoon.

Neither team were able to find any real rhythm on a bumpy pitch on South Africa's East Coast, as they ultimately settled for a share of the spoils in a game of few chances.

The result leaves Usuthu in 15th place on the log standings, two points and five places behind the Team of Choice who end the weekend in 10th spot.

AmaZulu had the first chance of the match with 25 minutes on the clock as Siyethemba Sithebe raced onto a square ball before firing his powerful left-footed shot inches wide of goal.

The hosts were quicker to adapt to the uneven surface and conjured a further goal opportunity seven minutes later, but Richard Ofori was on hand to keep Bongi Ntuli from bagging his eighth goal of the season.

The introduction of Thabiso Kutumela and Deolin Mekoa breathed fresh impetus into the visitors with the duo causing the AmaZulu defence several problems as they went in search of all three points.

Maritzburg ended the game on the front foot and Judas Moseamedi came close to breaking the deadlock in the 82nd minute, but his volley was straight at Neil Boshoff in the Usuthu goal.

Both teams will return to league action next weekend with AmaZulu away to Black Leopards while Maritzburg will also be in the Limpopo province to take on a struggling Polokwane City side.

AmaZulu (0) 0

Maritzburg United (0) 0

AmaZulu: Boshoff; Morton, Booysen, Xoki, Mabiliso, Sithebe, Maduna (Majoro 81'), Ncube (Ngubane 86'), Ncobeni (Sikhakhane 68'), Karuru, Ntuli.

Maritzburg United: Ofori; Mngonyama, De Reuck, Allie, Kunene, Sanoka, Buchanan, Timm, Hlongwane (Kutumela 55'), Claasen (Mekoa 62'), Moseamedi (Brockie 88').