Kaizer Chiefs missed the chance to go top of the Absa Premiership table after an inspired defensive display by AmaZulu helped secure a 0-0 draw at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Tuesday.
Sthembiso Ngcobo missed a string of first-half opportunities for the Amakhosi while Jimmy Tau and Mandla Masongo had chances late on, which were wasted.
The Soweto giants now move to 28 points on the log, the same number as Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United but they remain third on goal difference but have played an extra game.
Meanwhile, the point for the Usuthu, a first they have taken off Chiefs since the 2008/2009 season, moved them into the top eight ahead of the remaining fixtures for 2011.
More than 25Â 000 fans attended the clash at the World Cup venue and after a fairly subdued opening, the game burst into life in the 10th minute when Masongo drove in a cross from the right, which somehow both George Lebese and Ngcobo missed.
Moments later Ngcobo wastefully shot over from the edge of the box as Chiefs began to find their footing.
The striker did have the ball in the net after 16 minutes but it was ruled off-side while at the other end Ayanda Dlamini should have done better with his final cross after racing down the right flank during a counter-attack.
Continued pressure
The Amakhosi had two chances to go in front either side of the half-hour mark, both falling to Ngcobo.
Firstly the ball was gifted to Masongo in midfield and he put the former Free State Stars striker clean through, one-on-one with goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini but the keeper was up to the challenge and pushed the ball wide.
An error from Goodman Dlamini then let in Ngcobo again but after getting into the box, he dragged the final attempt past the post.
The pressure continued to come thick and fast on the Usuthu goal and the hosts had Belux Kasonga to thank when he threw his body on the line to deflect a Lebese shot.
Shortly before the break, Thamsanqa Sangweni made his way to the left byline but hardly had any options with his cross, the story of the first half for the home side after a lack of options in the final third.
It was goalless at the break and after the restart Siphiwe Tshabalala scooped his 20-yard free-kick over the bar while Ayanda Dlamini went for the wrong option and shot straight at Arthur Bartman with options on either side.
Ngcobo missed another gilt-edge chance before the hour mark by putting his free-header wide after being left unmarked in the six-yard box.
Anxious crowd
The anxious Chiefs crowd thought they had a penalty after 65 minutes when Tshabalala went down in the box, but the Bafana Bafana midfielder was booked for diving, much to their frustration.
With 20 minutes to play, Vladimir Vermezovic threw on Bernard Parker and Lehlohonolo Majoro, but it was AmaZulu who created the next opening when Moses Chavula headed centimetres over after arriving late at the back post.
Ayanda Dlamini had another chance to hit the target and failed when Goodman Dlamini broke superbly and crossed from the left.
With the clock ticking down, Tau wasted a free header at the back post, which was nodded straight to Kapini, with Masango then stabbing wide after excellently turning in the penalty area.
Chiefs were throwing everything forward at that stage and Tshabalala shot wide in the dying seconds as AmaZulu held on for the draw. — Sapa