Energy Murambadoro was given a start ahead of Oscar Ramogoadi and he rewarded coach Aki Ayiomamidis with a "man of the match" peformance. He was called into action as early as the 2nd minute when he saved a Bradley Ritson effort.

In the 17th minute a rejuvinated "TK" Masondo posted Aces first shot at the Usuthu goal, however this long range effort was easily dealt with.

Energy was again at his best in the 20th minute when he deflected another Ritson effort away for a corner which. It was great reflex save that delected off the upright.

Aces were unlucky not to score in the 24th minute when Gilbert Mushangazike blasted from the edge of the Amazulu penalty area. The AmaZulu keeper Mbongeni Mzimela was relieved to see the ball hit the crossbar and another Aces corner. Aces went threw a purple patch midway through the 1st half and played with confidence and dominated the possession stakes.

In the 40th t minute Aces again nearly opened their account albeit from an erratic back header from the AmaZulu captain Pere Ariweriyai to keeper Mzimela. The defender looked to be in two minds of passing the ball to his keeper or to head it out for a corner.

Gilbert Mushgazike again found some space just before the break, however his shot was easliy saved by the AmaZulu keeper.

Second Half

Mpho "Zico" Maleka was brought on for Mushgazike at the start of the 2nd half with a brief to run at the AmaZulu defence.

Lindo Mbatha had a busy afternoon and his nippy and darting runs nearly paid off in the 75th minute when his shot was parried away for a corner from the AmaZulu keeper.

Just seconds later Energy Murambadoro pulled off a remarkable save when the ball was cleverly played behind the Aces defence resulting in Dlamini going one-on-one with the ex Wits keeper. Murambadoro rushed out to try and meet both ball and player, slipped, and then with his cat like reflexes, saved the ball with his boot.

Jeffrey Makoti was replaced by Madoda Motha in the 63rd minute and Masondo made way for "Dukes" Machaka in the 87th minute.

Both teams looked nervous in the final 10 minutes and while Aces did not get the victory, they will be slighty comforted in securing a vital point which lifts them off the foot of the table.

All credit must go to the Aces faithfull fans who despite being outnumbered, clearly won the hearts and minds of the "neutrals" with their non stop and highly entertaining song and dance.

Teams

Aces:
Murambadoro – October, Nobula, Lekgothoane, B Sithole – Mushangazike (Maleka 45’), Makoti (Motha 63’), Zuke, Mbatha – Mmuso, Masondo (Machaka 87’)

AmaZulu:
Mbongeni – S Biyela, Chintu, Ariweriyai, Van Heerden – Mabaso (Noble 75’), Ngxabi, Kasonga, Hadebe (Ngwenya 63’) – A Dlamini, Ritson