Usuthu punching above their weight

Luvuyo Memela of AmaZulu

AmaZulu are punching above their weight in the striking department with key strikers unavailable due to injuries.

This is according to coach Brandon Truter with Augustine Mulenga, Bonginkosi Ntuli, Thabo Qalinge and Lehlohonolo Majoro having sustained season-ending injuries.

Ntuli and Majoro are proven out-and-out strikers, while Mulenga and Qalinge are experienced and versatile attackers.

“We tend to forget that we have the likes of Augustine Mulenga, Bonginkosi Ntuli, Lehlohonolo Majoro and Thabo Qalinge who are all out,” Truter said.

“Those are attackers who can score for you at any moment. Those are the guys who were AmaZulu’s first choice before I came in. Those were the guys who scored the goals.”

The Cape Town-born tactician has had to deploy Luvuyo Memela and Sphesihle Maduna as strikers in the last few matches in the DStv Premiership.

“With them not being there, a lot of responsibility falls on Luvuyo Memela, [but] once you isolate him, you have to look at Sphesihle Maduna who recently came back from injury,” he continued.

“You look at Pule Ekstein who was just making his second start under my reign [against Cape Town City on May 14].”

“So for us, we are punching above our weight in the attack. From set-pieces, we can always score as well. It is also an opportunity [for others],” he added.

“However, missing four players like that is always a big minus in our attack.”

Usuthu will wrap up their league campaign with a clash against Lamontville Golden Arrows in the KwaZulu-Natal Derby match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 15h00 CAT.

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