It was a forgettable KZN derby as both sides failed to produce the kind of attacking football that was expected for this occasion.

The visitors created the first chance in the second minute when Felix Obada sent in an in-swinging corner but Mor Diouf missed the target from six-yards out, sending his header over the bar.

The first half saw most of the possession concentrated in the middle of the park with neither side managing to create clear-cut chances to test the goalkeepers.

Ayanda Dlamini had a half-chance at the other end in the 17th minute but the Usuthu striker failed to hit the target, sending his shot wide on the right.

Michael Morton found himself with space on the right side in the 30th minute but failed to get a clean connection with the ball and in the end his tame shot resulted in a comfortable save for Tapuwa Kapini.

The second half saw some goal-mouth action but with neither side doing enough to stake a claim for the full points.

The first chance after the break fell for Felix Obada when he outran the defenders to meet a long pass but he hurried his left-footed shot which failed to trouble the Usuthu goalkeeper.

The best chance for the home side came in the 73rd minute when Bongani Mbele broke through on the right side and found Ayanda Dlamini on the edge of the penalty area but his fierce shot was parried away by an outstretched Walters.

The visitors then had their best chance at the other end in the 83rd minute when Michael Morton beat his marker on the right side and found Kurt Lentjies just outside the box, but his thunderous shot was tipped over for a corner by Kapini.

United almost benefitted from the resulting corner with Mor Diouf striking the crossbar with a well-executed overheard kick.

Although the game started to come to life in the closing stages of the second half, it was too little and too late and both sides should be satisfied with getting a point for their display.

Teams:

AmaZulu: Kapini, Mokoro, Van Heerden, Kasonga, Nyadombo, Zhuwawo, Kgatla, Shipahu (Zwane 59’), Mbele, G Dlamini, A Dlamini (Lewis 81’)

Maritzburg United: Walters, Matuka, Diouf, Hendricks, Evans, Davids (Matle 62’), Ncubeni (Davids 84’), Obada, Morton, Olomu, Lawrence (Lentjies 56’)