AmaZulu held to draw in last-minute drama against Swallows

AmaZulu drew their latest DStv Premiership fixture 1-1 against Moroka Swallows at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Tuesday evening, as the Dude Birds held onto the end to salvage a point.

The result sees Usuthu remain in 10th place on the log and Swallows are 13th.

The game was a solid defensive display from the KZN outfit until a lapse in concentration at the last minute caused them to concede a last minute equaliser.

Augustine Mahlonoko's stoppage-time goal denies AmaZulu the three points 🤝#DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/2alUCdlUkw

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) March 5, 2024

Ben Motshwari was instrumental in the first half, anchoring the midfield. 

Swallows’ Gabadinho Mhango came close to scoring at the half hour mark but was denied by Olwethu Mzimela.

Two of the team’s best chances in the first half were efforts from Mhango, but the forward was lacking the perfect finish.

The two teams went into the break goalless after an underwhelming opening 45 minutes.

As the second half got under way, Taariq Fielies tried to open the scoring for AmaZulu but his attempt was not good enough.

However, Usuthu started looking like the more likely team to score as Junior Dion received a stunning cross from Wayde Jooste, but could not make the most of it at the 64 minute mark.

Finally hitting the target in the 72nd minute, Riaan Hanamub opened the scoring in the match with a stunning striker’s goal -- his first of the campaign.

The Dube Birds, however, weren’t discouraged and kept pushing until the very last minute and were ultimately rewarded.

The hearts of AmaZulu were broken at the death as Augustine Mahlonoko found the back of the net during stoppage time, after coming off the bench for Swallows late in the half.

The match ended 1-1 with the two teams sharing the spoils.

AmaZulu (0) 1 (Hanamub 73’)

Moroka Swallows (0) 1 (Mahlonoko 90+2’)

AmaZulu: O. Mzimela, W. Jooste, M. Gumede, R. Mphahlele, T. Fielies, R. Hanamub, E. Brooks, B. Motshwari (A. Mulenga 45’), C. Ngema, H. Ekstein (T. Moremi 78’), J. Dion (A. Chidi Krem 78’)

Moroka Swallows: D. Akpeyi, F. Tshanini, V. Sibiya, K. Mngonyama, M. Mphahlele, G. Damons (L. Mbanjwa 46’), T. Mthethwa (L. Koapeng 82’), G. Khupe (N. Nyauza 82’), G. Mhango, L. Mtshali, J. Everson (A. Mahlonoko 68’)