AmaZulu FC will go head to head with Orlando Pirates in the 2022 MTN8 final at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 18h00.
Usuthu will be taking part in their first major cup final since 2010 and they are looking to end their 30-year trophy drought.
The 1992 Coca Cola Cup triumph remains AmaZulu’s last major trophy win and the KwaZulu-Natal giants are determined to end their long wait for a title.
Coach Romain Folz’s side is oozing with confidence after securing morale-boosting 1-0 win over Stellenbosch FC in a DStv Premiership match last weekend.
“We’re all aware of the history of the club with regards finals and trophies. A lot more eyes are going to be on the game and I think it puts more pressure, but it’s like that in professional sports, not only in football,” Folz said.
“There are many teams who would like to be in our place and therefore you don’t have a right to say you’re suffering under pressure and that it can affect your performance. We take it [the final] with a lot of excitement, with a lot of desire to perform the best way possible.
“As for the club’s history, we understand what the win will mean to the club and the fans. We’re playing for so many people and we’re in no position to let them down. We always are going to give it our best shot.”
Meanwhile, Pirates will be making their second appearance in the MTN8 in two years having defeated Bloemfontein Celtic in the 2020 final.
The Buccaneers are one of the most decorated clubs in the history of the competition having won it 10 times and only Kaizer Chiefs have clinched more trophies (15).
Pirates are coming into this game wounded having succumbed to a 1-0 loss to Chiefs in a DStv Premiership match which also took place last weekend.
AmaZulu and Pirates have no suspension concerns going into this highly anticipated encounter.
Orlando Pirates v AmaZulu FC
Head-to-Head (since 1985)
PREVIOUS CUP MEETINGS
Season Cup: Result – Scorers
1990 Bob Save SF: AmaZulu 1-0 Pirates – Nzimande
1992 Bob Save 1st round: Pirates 2-1 AmaZulu – Nogueira, Mahlangu; Nzimande
1994 BP Top 8 3rd place: AmaZulu 1-2 Pirates – Farrer; Maponyane, Mkhalele
2018/19 Telkom KO QF: AmaZulu 1-3* Pirates – Ntuli; Lorch (2), Mlambo
2021/22 Nedbank Cup L32: Pirates 1-0 AmaZulu – Hotto
*After extra time
LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS
Season Result Scorers
2017/18 AmaZulu 1-2 Pirates Khenyeza; Nyatama, Qalinge
2018/19 AmaZulu 1-1 Pirates Tade; Mulenga
2018/19 Pirates 4-1 AmaZulu Mahachi, Memela, Shonga, Motshwari; Ncobeni
2019/20 AmaZulu 0-0 Pirates
2019/20 Pirates 1-0 AmaZulu Pule
2020/21 AmaZulu 1-1 Pirates Majoro; Mhango (pen)
2020/21 Pirates 1-0 AmaZulu Mhango
2021/22 AmaZulu 1-1 Pirates Moremi; Hotto
2021/22 Pirates 2-1 AmaZulu Peprah 2; Memela
2022/23 Pirates 1-1 AmaZulu Mothwa (og); Maduna 35’
CUP RECORD
P W D L GF GA
Pirates 5 4 0 1 8 4
AmaZulu 5 1 0 4 4 8
OVERALL RECORD (all competitions)
P W D L GF GA
Pirates 69 32 26 11 98 57
AmaZulu 69 11 26 32 57 98
