AmaZulu FC will be determined to climb into the Betway Premiership’s top eight when they lock horns with Kaizer Chiefs at the iconic FNB Stadium on Wednesday.
Kick-off is at 7:30 pm CAT.
Usuthu saw their four-match unbeaten run in the league come to an end when they lost 3-1 to TS Galaxy on September 24, having recorded two wins and two draws before losing to the Rockets.
AmaZulu are placed ninth in the Betway Premiership standings with 11 points from seven matches and a win over Chiefs would see coach Arthur Zwane’s side climb into the top eight.
“The last game, as much as we lost, but it was a learning curve ahead of the game against Kaizer Chiefs. We are hoping that ahead of the Chiefs we would’ve learnt a lot,” AmaZulu defender Sandile Mthethwa said.
“From training you can tell the guys are ready to fix the mistakes we made. Our objective is to win our first game away and it’s very important going to FNB. As much as it won’t be easy, the club has done it before so why not?”
One of AmaZulu’s key players, Siyanda Hlangabeza will be absent as the influential midfielder is suspended after being sent off during the TS Galaxy match and Elmo Kambindu is yet to feature for the KwaZulu-Natal giants this season due to an injury.
Meanwhile, Chiefs bounced to winning ways when they claimed a 1-0 win over Angola’s Kaburscop in the CAF Confederation Cup on Saturday, as the victory snapped their three-match winless run across all competitions.
AmaZulu are placed fifth in the Betway Premiership standings with 14 points from seven matches and a victory over AmaZulu would elevate the Soweto giants to third place which is the CAF Confederation Cup spot.
“Every team brings their best when they play Kaizer Chiefs. It’s not going to be easy,” Duba said.
“Even though they lost their last game, AmaZulu will want to bounce back against us. Everyone wants to beat Chiefs, so we need to be ready.”
Chiefs are expected to be without the duo of Given Msimango and Rushwin Dortley, who are both nursing long term injuries, while Khanyisa Mayo is now available for selection after missing the Kabuscorp game as he is not registered in the CAF Confederation Cup.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS
Season Result Scorers
2020/21 AmaZulu 0-1 Chiefs Nurkovic
2020/21 Chiefs 1-2 AmaZulu Castro (pen); Mulenga, Majoro
2021/22 AmaZulu 1-1 Chiefs Memela; Dolly (pen)
2021/22 Chiefs 1-1 AmaZulu Buchanan (og); Ntuli
2022/23 Chiefs 0-0 AmaZulu
2022/23 AmaZulu 4-0 Chiefs Zuma, Mphahlele, Dion, Ntuli
2023/24 Chiefs 3-0 AmaZulu Mmodi 2, Castillo
2023/24 AmaZulu 1-1 Chiefs Letsoalo; Du Preez
2024/25 AmaZulu 1-3 Chiefs Ighodaro; Chivaviro, Sirino, Miguel
2024/25 Chiefs 2-2 AmaZulu Morris, Ofori (og); Moremi, Kambindu
LEAGUE RECORD (since 1985)
Home
P W D L GF GA
Chiefs 35 22 9 4 61 20
AmaZulu 33 6 10 17 35 54
Away
P W D L GF GA
Chiefs 33 17 10 6 54 35
AmaZulu 35 4 9 22 20 61
Total
P W D L GF GA
Chiefs 68 39 19 10 115 55
AmaZulu 68 10 19 39 55 115
