AmaZulu advanced to the group stages of the Caf Champions League after playing out to a 1-1 draw with TP Mazembe in the second leg of their second preliminary round at the Stade Mazembe on Saturday afternoon.

The home side showed their intent early in the first half and created the first chance, but Usuthu had enough numbers at the back to deal with the threat.

Usuthu’s first opportunity came in the 15th minute but Ibrahim Mounkoro was alert and did well to block the ball before it could find the back of the net.

Veli Mothwa came to his side’s rescue just after the half-hour mark when he produced a good save to deny Sozé Zemanga’s attempt at goal.

The visitors managed to take the lead in the closing stages of the first half through Bongi Ntuli, with AmaZulu taking the advantage into the break.

AmaZulu looked to double their lead early in the second half when Luvuyo Mamela unleashed a shot at goal, but some good defensive work from TP Mazembe denied Usuthu another goal.

The home side had a chance to draw the game level in the 69th minute but the AmaZulu goalkeeper did well to deny TP Mazembe’s attempt at goal.

Both teams continued to share possession of the ball after 70 minutes as Mazembe tried to level matters, while Ustuthu looked to go further ahead.

Benni McCarthy then opted to make a double substitution in the 82nd minute as Makhehlene Makhaula and Xolani Mlambo were taken off and replaced by Lehlohonolo Majoro and Andre de Jong, respectively.

TP Mazembe pushed forward in search of an equaliser in the closing stages and eventually equalised, but it was too little too late as AmaZulu advanced to the next round on the away-goal rule.