Usuthu were arguably the better team throughout, and opened the scoring through Etiosa Ighodaro, but conceded avoidable injury time goals at the end of each half – a harsh lesson at the start of a new campaign.
AmaZulu looked the likelier scorers through the first quarter of the match, with the strike pairing of Etiosa Ighodaro and Sede Dion providing plenty of movement and attacking impetus.
And the Durban side duly claimed the lead on the half-hour mark via Ighodaro, who got on the end of a fine cross from Riaan Hanamub and powered home a header from close range.
Polokwane enjoyed more of the ball through the remaining 15 minutes of the first half, and levelled deep in injury time before the interval: Cole Alexander’s free kick picked out Bulelani Nikani, who directed a header into the bottom corner for 1-1.
Usuthu almost reclaimed the lead early in the second half through Rowan Human, who drove forward from midfield and sent a low shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Manuel Sapunga, only for the ball to crash back off the base of the post.
Another close call for the hosts was in the 79th minute when AmaZulu substitute Abbubaker Mobara latched onto a loose ball and fired off a long-range drive which flashed just wide of the target.
