AmaZulu have failed to score for a third straight DStv Premiership clash after drawing 0-0 with winless Richards Bay FC on Saturday evening.
Usuthu brought back Abbubaker Mobara and Wayde Jooste, as the two changes from their goalless draw against SuperSport United.
The Natal Rich Boyz, meanwhile, handed Thobani Mthembu his first start and Nkululeko Miya his debut alongside the return of Sanele Barns in a changed line-up after defeat to Golden Arrows.
Kaitani Tembo's charges were quick to get in front of goal in the early stages and Mthembu had two good chances after 20 minutes but was denied in the box by shot-stopper Veli Mothwa in quick succession.
AmaZulu looked to have a slow build up before accelerating in the last third but they were not ultimately bringing the likes of Victor Letsoalo and Augustine Kwem into the game.
The game continued to flow and Somila Ntsundwana had a chance for Kaitano Tembo's men towards the end of the first stanza after going through in the box but his shot missed narrowly wide.
Neither side could have a momentum going forward early in the second stanza and just after the hour-mark, Pablo Franco Martin made attacking changes, as Bonginkosi Ntuli replaced Letsoalo up top and Tshepang Moremi took the place of Tercious Malepe.
The game started to open up after that as Martin had the luxury of also throwing in the likes of Rowan Human and Hendrick Ekstein.
However, the Natal Rich Boyz had a big chance ten minutes before time after Barns went through on goal but his shot from close-range was crucially blocked by Mobara with a tackle from behind.
With the match on the edge, Human almost snatched the winner for Usuthu in stoppage time with a dipping free-kick that was parried away at full-stretch by goalkeeper Salim Magoola and the sides shared the spoils.
AmaZulu had the same result for a third straight game while Richards Bay got their first point of the season.
Confirmed line-ups:
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Gumede, Hanamub, Mobara, Mphahlele, Malepe, Brooks, Jooste, Letsoalo, Ngema, Kwem
Subs: Mzimela, Mabiliso, Zulu, Mbanjwa, Moremi, Human, Ndlovu, Ekstein, Ntuli
Richards Bay: Magoola, Dlamini, Mabua, Mcineka, Dube, Komane, Barns, Mhlongo, Ntsundwana, Miya, Mthembu
Subs: Mabokgwane, Banda, Ndlovu, Mabuya, Koapeng, Figareido, Hlongwa, Mthembu, Mbuthuma
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