Selepe Strike Denies Usuthu Historic Durban Win Over Pirates

AmaZulu were denied their first Betway Premiership win over Orlando Pirates in Durban since 2009, as Simphiwe Selepe’s powerful strike secured a 1-1 draw at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on a busy Saturday of local football.

After a goalless first half, Usuthu broke the deadlock in the second when Tshepang Moremi’s goal-bound shot was inadvertently deflected in by Patrick Maswanganyi. Maswanganyi, facing his own net, found himself in a difficult position and had no means to clear the ball.

However, Pirates had other plans. Selepe’s equalizer brought the Buccaneers level, ensuring the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

AmaZulu entered this match having not defeated Pirates in Durban in a league fixture since October 2009, a match where Bradley Ritson and Ayanda Dlamini scored in a 2-1 victory at Chatsworth Stadium. They had been seeking their first home win against Pirates at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, a venue that held recent disappointing memories for them, having lost the Nedbank Cup final to Kaizer Chiefs just two weeks prior.

Pirates have historically enjoyed a strong record against Usuthu, with AmaZulu having secured only three victories in their last 37 encounters across all competitions.

The Buccaneers were boosted by the return of Relebohile Mofokeng, who had been suspended for Pirates’ previous win against SuperSport United. Despite losing the services of coach Jose Riveiro three weeks prior, Pirates had already secured their second-place position in the league, guaranteeing them a spot in next season’s CAF Champions League.

Conversely, Usuthu were aiming to finish in the top eight for the first time in two seasons. They came into this game having not played since their draw with Polokwane City at the beginning of the month.

The home side was the first to threaten, as Etiosa Ighodaro came close to scoring for Usuthu. He got ahead of everyone in the box from Tebogo Mashigo’s corner, but his header struck the crossbar.

However, Pirates suffered an early blow when Mbekezeli Mbokazi, a youngster who had made his debut in March and become a regular in the side, was forced off due to an apparent injury. He was replaced in the 21st minute by Thapelo Xoki.

Pirates had their first significant chance in the 24th minute when Deano van Rooyen set up Maswanganyi inside the box. However, the reigning PSL Players’ Player of the Year shot agonizingly wide, leaving him frustrated at missing such a prime opportunity for the visitors.

Deon Hotto also latched onto a through pass from Mofokeng inside the Pirates’ box, but Usuthu goalkeeper Richard Ofori used his foot to make a crucial save. Mohau Nkota, one of the revelations of the season, went close in the dying minutes of the first half, curling a left-footed shot just wide of the post.

Moremi weaved his way into the box in the 66th minute, robbing Van Rooyen of possession, and his shot was inevitably put into the net by Maswanganyi for an own goal, giving AmaZulu hope of finally ending their Durban drought against Pirates.

However, Pirates denied Usuthu a much-desired victory in the 77th minute. AmaZulu failed to clear the ball from a corner kick inside their own box, and Simphiwe Selepe fired in a powerful equalizer from outside the area.

That goal seemed to inject new life into Pirates, with Mofokeng proving strong in attack. Yet, immediately after that incident, AmaZulu nearly caught Pirates off guard, with Moremi being denied by goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.

This match marked AmaZulu’s final game of the season, as they successfully secured a top-eight finish for the first time since the 2021/22 season.