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AmaZulu frustrate Chiefs to book MTN8 final spot

AmaZulu will meet Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final after drawing 0-0 with Kaizer Chiefs to advance on the away goals rule on Sunday afternoon.

Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana earned a re-call for Chiefs alongside goalkeeper Brandon Peterson who replaced Bruce Bvuma, while Usuthu missed Tercious Malepe through suspension.

The first shot in anger saw Keagan Dolly charge goal-wards from a loose pass outside the area ten minutes in and fired inches wide of Veli Mothwa's goal.

Read: Pirates end Sundowns' MTN8 title defence

AmaZulu though should've gone ahead five minutes later as a poor pass at the back by Peterson ended up with Siphesihle Maduna, who tapped wide from point-blank range.

Usuthu had the Amakhosi on the edge before the half-hour mark and saw George Maluleka cut inside from a loose pass near the area and produced a powerful shot that stung the gloves of Peterson.

The Amakhosi struggled to contain the hosts and nearly trailed just before the break when Augustine Kwem burst through the area and found the top of the net from a tight angle

. It was a rather slow opening to the second period, as the Amakhosi looked to find rhythm in attack whereas Usuthu looked to hold and add onto their advantage in this two-legged clash.

Chiefs had the host on the edge a little over the 60th minute mark where a penetrative ball in the channels from Reeve Frosler forced goalkeeper Veli Mothwa to come out and smother.

The Amakhosi brought on Khama Billiat for Bimenyimana five minutes later, and the former nearly made his mark from a ball by Kgaogelo Sekgota but Mothwa parried the effort.

AmaZulu regained their confidence in the closing stages and almost broke the deadlock when a pass from Ethan Brooks picked out Kwem in a decent position, but he blazed over from close-range.

Chiefs pushed forward in the remaining seconds and came close to the lead from a free-kick by Dolly, but it wasn't to be as Usuthu marched to final of the MTN8, where they will face Orlando Pirates.

Confirmed line-ups:

AmaZulu: Mothwa, Sikhakhane, Hanamub, Mphahlele, Mobara, Makhaula, Maduna, Bwalya, Maluleka, Kwem, Mhango.

Subs: Anonome, Mabiliso, Zulu, Gumede, Buchanan, Brooks, Kunene, Ndlovu, Majoro.

Kaizer Chiefs:  Petersen, Frosler, Dove, Kwinika, Hlanti, Blom, Maart, Sekgota, Dolly, Du Preez, Bimenyimana.

Sub: Bvuma, Mathoho, Billiat, Ngezana, Sithebe, Ngcobo, Matlou, Solomons.

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