Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu played to a 1-1 draw in a DStv Premiership encounter on Friday evening at Orlando Stadium.
Striker Kermit Erasmus made his first start for Pirates, who welcomed back goalkeeper Richard Ofori as Ben Motshwari filled in for Goodman Mosele in midfield.
Pirates were inches close to a fifth minute lead when Monnapule Saleng found the face of the post through a low free-kick from the edge of the six-yard area after Erasmus went down.
Usuthu's high-press unsettled the Buccaneers in the opening 15 minutes and a defensive error from Nkosinathi Sibisi set Lehlohonolo Majoro clean through only for him to drag wide.
Pirates were forced into a change five minutes later when Bandile Shandu couldn't carry on playing following a knee injury and had Fortune Makaringe enter.
The approach from Usuthu paid dividends on 33 minutes as they were awarded a penalty after Ofori clattered into Majoro who was stretchered off and Spheshile Maduna tucked in the resultant penalty.
Pirates responded on the brink of halftime and levelled when Erasmus ran in at the near post from a low pass and fired in off goalkeeper Veli Mothwa, who was credited with the own goal.
The Buccaneers made a strong start to the second half and pinned Usuthu in their own half off with balls in and around the area, while Kabelo Dlamini had replaced Motshwari.
More activity from the Buccaneers bench came ten minutes in the second half, as Ofori limped off the field and in came Siyabonga Mpontshane.
Pirates could've gone ahead on 60 minutes from the penalty spot following a handball in the area, but Mothwa denied Sibisi to keep the score level.
The Sea Robbers kept piling forward after 13 minutes and very nearly went ahead when Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo's low shot in the area forced a diving save from Mothwa.
AmaZulu sat deep in the final minutes and another strong save from Mothwa parried Olisa Ndah's side-footed attempt in the area, as it finished all square.
Confirmed line-ups:
Orlando Pirates: Ofori, Ndah, Sibisi, Maeal, Shandu, Motshwari, Timm, Hotto, Ndlondlo, Saleng, Erasmus
Subs: Mpontshane, Xoki, Makaringe, Makgaka, Dlamini, Makgopa, Lepasa, Peprah
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Sikhakhane, Hanamub, Mphahlele, Mobara, Buchanan, Makhaula, Maluleka, Maduna, Kwem, Majoro
Subs: Mzimela, Khumalo, Mabiliso, Malepe, Brooks, Magaqa, Kunene, Bwalya, Ndlovu
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