Sekhukhune United maintained their unbeaten start to the Betway Premiership season after rescuing a 1-1 draw against AmaZulu on Wednesday night.
Eric Tinkler handed recalls to Miguel Timm, Tshepo Mokoena and Chibuike Ohizu following Sekhukhune's 1-1 draw against Stellenbosch in the MTN8 over the weekend, as Bradley Grobler, Siphesihle Mkhize and Vusumzi Mncube dropped to the bench.
Usuthu coach Arthur Zwane, meanwhile, made just one change from the win over Marumo Gallants last week, as Tebogo Mashigo made way for Andiswa Sithole while two teenagers Thandanani Mhlongo and Rocco Rocha were named on the bench.
The men from KwaZulu-Natal got the opening goal on 20 minutes when Sithole made the most of his call-up by teeing up Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya for the close-range finish, opening his account for the season.
That also proved to be the first goal that Eric Tinkler's charges have conceded in the league campaign as they were made to pay for the slow start to the contest.
However, Zwane was forced to make a change ten minutes into the second half when goalkeeper Darren Johnson had to be substituted due to an injury, with Olwethu Mzimela coming on for his second appearance of the campaign.
Sekhukhune continued to push for the equaliser and they were nearly rewarded after the hour mark via a corner situation, but Usuthu defender Taariq Fielies popped up with a vital block to keep his side in the lead.
The home side got their reward with six minutes left on the clock, with off-season signing Ronaldo Maarman getting his first goal for the club with a close-range finish to seal a point for his side.
The visitors finished the game with ten players after Riaan Hanamub was given his marching orders in second-half stoppage time.
As a result, Tinkler's men extend their unbeaten run to four matches in the league and remain top of the table, while AmaZulu miss the chance to move up to third spot after settling for the point.
Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images
Confirmed line-ups:
Sekhukhune United: Leaner, Timm, Letlapa, Cardoso, Matsimbi, Monare, Mokoena, Thokolo, Makgalwa, Ohizu, Rammala
AmaZulu: Johnson, Radebe, Mthethwa, Fielies, Allan, Hanamub, Hlangabeza, Motshwari, Sithole, Ngwenya, Ekstein
