Sekhukhune United saw their perfect start in the Betway Premiership come to an end after they were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man AmaZulu at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Wednesday.
Eric Tinkler's side had to come from behind to rescue a point which kept them at the league summit on goal difference ahead of Kaizer Chiefs, with Usuthu moving up to sixth place, level with Golden Arrows on seven points.
FULL TIME
— Sekhukhune United F.C. (@SekhukhuneFc) August 27, 2025
90’+6 Not the result we wanted, but we fought a good fight and came back with an equaliser.
SKUFC 1️⃣-1️⃣ AmaZulu FC
🦔🦔🦔#Adibahlabe#BetwayPrem#BabinaNokovsUsuthu pic.twitter.com/ACvEUm08dd
Babina Noko were looking to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season, while the KZN outfit went in search of their second consecutive win after edging Marumo Gallants 1-0 most recently.
The hosts bossed possession and managed slightly more shots at goal, but AmaZulu should have opened the scoring on the quarter-hour mark when Thando Ngwenya found himself through on goal and one-on-one with Renaldo Leaner.
The Zimbabwean striker failed to take his chance though as he missed the target from inside the area, much to the relief of the home fans.
However, Arthur Zwane's side were celebrating just three minutes later when Ngwenya made amends, tapping home from close range after being picked out by Andiswa Sithole.
AmaZulu took their one-goal lead into the break after Darren Johnson had to make two saves, although the goalkeeper was eventually forced off on 56 minutes due to an injury he picked up in the first half.
The team from Limpopo piled on the pressure in the second half as they pushed for an equaliser, although Ngwenya was a whisker away from doubling the visitors' advantage on 79 minutes with an effort that rattled the crossbar.
But those near misses would come back to haunt Ngwenya five minutes later as Maarman hit back for Sekhukhune with six minutes left on the clock to earn them a point.
Usuthu finished the game with 10 men after skipper Riaan Hanamub received a straight red card in the second minute of stoppage time.
Sekhukhune United (0) 1 (Maarman 84')
AmaZulu (1) 1 (Ngwenya 17')
SEKHUKHUNE UNITED: R. Leaner, T. Matsimbi, D. Cardoso, M. Thokolo (B. Ndlovu 87'), V. Letlapa, T. Monare (K. Tlaka 20'), M. Timm, T. Mokoane (V. Mncube 58'), N. Rammala, K. Makgalwa (R. Maarman 59'), C. Ohizu (B. Grobler 58').
AMAZULU: D. Johnson (O. Mzimela 56'), N. Radebe, K. Allan, T. Fielies, S. Mthethwa, R. Hanamub, S. Hlangabeza, B. Motshwari, H. Ekstein (M. Mbanjwa 68'), A. Sithole (W. Dube 90+6'), T. Ngwenya.