AmaZulu FC will start their 2023/24 DStv Premiership campaign with a match against Royal AM at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 5:30 pm CAT.
Usuthu had a successful pre-season as they won the KwaZulu-Natal Premier’s Cup before narrowly losing to Royal AM in the final of the Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup.
AmaZulu head coach Pablo Franco Martin has revealed the team’s main objective coming into his first campaign with the KwaZulu-Natal giants.
“AmaZulu cannot afford to be fighting for relegation, we need to be fighting for top [half] position in the table,” Franco Martin said.
“We need to try and make trouble for the top teams in this league and we need to dominate the rest of the teams in the competition.
“We are building that and it is clear from everyone that we are ready in that aspect.”
Meanwhile, Royal AM were also in action in the KwaZulu-Natal Premier’s Cup before winning the Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup under their coach John Maduka.
Maduka is now optimistic that Thwihli Thwahla will enjoy a successful season as they renew their rivalry with AmaZulu.
‘‘I believe we will have a great season and we want to do well than in the past season,” Maduka said.
“We have promoted very good youngsters, who will come in handy as the season progresses.”
AmaZulu will be without their new signing Celimpilo Ngema who will miss the KwaZulu-Natal Derby clash due to suspension.
AmaZulu vs Royal AM Head-to-Head stats
ALL LEAGUE RESULTS
Season-Result-Scorers
2021/22 AmaZulu 0-0 Royal
2021/22 Royal 0-0 AmaZulu
2022/23 Royal 2-0 AmaZulu Sera, Machupu
2022/23 AmaZulu 1-1 Royal Ntuli; Gamildien
LEAGUE RECORD (since 2021/22)
Home
P W D L GF GA
Royal 2 1 1 0 2 0
AmaZulu 2 0 2 0 1 1
Away
P W D L GF GA
Royal 2 0 2 0 1 1
AmaZulu 2 0 1 1 0 2
Total
P W D L GF GA
Royal 4 1 3 0 3 1
AmaZulu 4 0 3 1 1 3
