Swallows FC 0-0 AmaZulu FC: Usuthu hold PSL title contenders ahead of Kaizer Chiefs clash

Swallows FC remain undefeated in the PSL this season after drawing 0-0 with AmaZulu FC in a match which took place at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Beautiful Birds were looking to snap a three-match drawing run in the league having secured a morale-boosting 1-0 win over Cape Umoya United in the Nedbank Cup game last weekend. 

Defenders Vuyo Mere, Wandisile Letlabika and Njabulo Ngcobo were among the six players who recalled to the starting line-up as coach Brandon Truter brought back his key players. 

On the other hand, Usuthu were eyeing their fifth consecutive victory across all competitions having defeated Lamontville Golden Arrows 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the Nedbank Cup game last weekend.

Coach Benni McCarthy handed Zukile Kewuti his debut after the winger joined AmaZulu on loan from Cape Town City this week and he started alongside Augustine Mulenga, Lehlohonolo Majoro and Luvuyo Memela in the attack.  

AmaZulu threatened first through Lehlohonolo Majoro, whose shot was well-saved by Thela Ngobeni, after being awarded a starting berth ahead of fellow former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Virgil Vries.

The Beautiful Birds were not sitting back as they launched attacks and Usuthu shot-stopper Veli Mothwa produced a diving save to deny Kamohelo Mahlatsi.

Swallows saw most of the ball, but they could not cut open AmaZulu's resolute defence which was marshalled by Mbongeni Gumede.

Thabo Matlaba, who is one of the best long-range shooters in the PSL, tried his luck from distance and the Swallows full-back's shot was easily saved by Mothwa.

Usuthu were then able to contain the Beautiful Birds and the score was 0-0 during the half-time break in Soweto. 

A relatively quiet second-half followed with Swallows and AmaZulu struggling to create clear cut chances as both teams gave away possession easily in the final third. 

With his side unable to create goalscoring opportunities, McCarthy introduced Siphelele Mthembu in the 71st minute as AmaZulu looked to break the deadlock. 

However, Mthembu could not make an impact on the game as he was tightly marked by Man of the Match Ngcobo, who had a good game at the heart of Swallows' defence. 

The Beautiful Birds played long balls into the opposition's box with Truter having introduced strikers Kagiso Malinga and Joseph Mhlongo in the closing stages of the game.

AmaZulu defended very well against the long balls and ultimately, the match ended in a 0-0 draw with the two teams sharing the spoils on the day.

The result saw Swallows climb up to third place on the league standings - four points behind leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns, while AmaZulu remained seventh on the log.

Swallows will now take on Cape Town City on February 21, while AmaZulu are set to face Kaizer Chiefs on February 17.