Magesi strike late to hold AmaZulu

Magesi FC struck a late equaliser to hold AmaZulu FC 1-1 in a Betway Premiership match at Seshego Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Usuthu looked to be on course for all three points thanks to Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya’s first-half strike, but John Mokone levelled for Dikwena tsa Meetse in the final minute of regulation time to see the spoils shared.

AmaZulu moved up one place on the log to fifth, leapfrogging local rivals Golden Arrows, while Magesi climbed one spot to 14th – moving out of the red zone as a result.

Magesi found their attacking rhythm earlier in the match and created half-chances for the likes of Kgomotso Mosadi and Thabang Sibanyoni inside the opening quarter hour.

However, against the run of play, AmaZulu claimed the lead in the 17th minute. Magesi made a mess of defending a corner kick, and a loose ball in the penalty area was acrobatically volleyed home by Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya – his second goal this week after also netting against Sekhukhune United on Wednesday.

The hosts sought a way back into the game through the remainder of the first half, but were mostly restricted to ambitious long-range efforts, with AmaZulu’s defence proving to be disciplined and well-organised.

Dikwena tsa Meetse did have one great chance to level the game before the interval, with Mosadi crossing to find Wonderboy Makhubu in the 43rd minute, but the latter play failed to hit the target with his effort.

With the score still 1-0 in favour of the visitors at halftime, the teams both made changes for the restart: Magesi sent on Samuel Darpoh and Edmore Chirambadare, while Asanda Mzobe was introduced for Usuthu.

LATE DRAMA

The hosts gradually dialled up the attacking pressure in their search for an equaliser, coming close with a quarter hour of regulation time to play when substitute Bafedile Baloyi sent an overhead kick just wide of the target.

Yet in the final minutes, it was Usuthu who looked the likelier scorers, as they were able to counterattack at will and exploit the space left behind by Gallants, who were throwing men forward to try and level the game.

The likes of Thandanani Mhlongo and Mondli Mbanjwa had promising moments for the team in green and white, but they were unable to find the second goal to end the game as a contest.

Magesi punished AmaZulu in the final minute of regulation time, as a dangerous free kick delivery into the penalty area was flicked on to find John Mokone unmarked at the far post, and the defender scored with a stooping header for 1-1.

The teams will return to Premiership action in mid-September, with AmaZulu at home to Stellenbosch and Magesi visiting Orlando Pirates.

MAGESI FC (0) 1 (Mokone 90’)

AMAZULU FC (1) 1 (Ngwenya 17’)

MAGESI: Chipezeze, Abrahams, Makgoga, Buthelezi, J. Mokone, Masegela (Darpoh 46’), Zungu, Mariba (Seseane 60’), Makhubu (Baloyi 73’), Mosadi (Kakora 74’), Sibanyoni (Chirambadare 46’)

AMAZULU: Ofori, Allan, Fielies, Mthethwa, Radebe, Hlangabeza (Zungu 72’), Motshwari, Ngcobo (Dube 72’), Ekstein (Mbanjwa 73’), Sithole (Mzobe 46’), Ngwenya (Mhlongo 80’)