AmaZulu ready for Chiefs challenge

Daniel Cardoso of Kaizer Chiefs clears Mabhuti Khenyeza of AmaZulu during 2017 Telkom Knockout match between Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban South Africa on 28 October 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Nov 21, 2017. 09:30

AmaZulu will look to claim the scalp of Kaizer Chiefs when the teams meet in an Absa Premiership clash at King Zwelithini Stadium on 22 November 2017, kick-off at 19h30.

AmaZulu have lost just one of their last five league matches and held log leaders Baroka FC to a 1-1 draw at home on November 1. The Durban side has also claimed notable wins against PSL heavyweights Bidvest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns in recent times - something Chiefs will have taken note of.

Usuthu have performed respectably at home this season, recording two wins, three draws and just one defeat from their six matches as hosts. That lone defeat was a surprise result against Polokwane City in mid October.

Chiefs played to a second successive goalless stalemate when they shared the spoils with hosts Polokwane City on October 31. The Soweto giants have played to five draws in just 10 matches this season and coach Steve Komphela will be worried that they are missing out on too many potential three-pointers.

The Amakhosi do at least boast an unbeaten away record so far this season, with 11 points taken from a possible 15, and they will be confident of another positive result when they head to Umlazi for this clash with their old rivals from KwaZulu-Natal.

In head-to-head stats, AmaZulu and Chiefs have met in 52 league matches since 1985. The Amakhosi have claimed 33 wins compared to seven for Usuthu, while 12 matches have been drawn. The Durban side has won five of their 25 home league matches against their Soweto counterparts, suffering 13 defeats in the process.

The teams last met in the league in the 2014/15 season, with Chiefs claiming a league ‘double’ by winning 2-1 in Durban and 1-0 in the return game in Soweto. The Amakhosi have racked up six successive league wins over Usuthu and haven’t lost to the team in green since the 2006/07 season.

AmaZulu’s line-up from their 1-1 draw with Baroka on November 1: Pule, Gumede M, Mtsweni, Gumede P, Sikhakhane, Darpoh, Ncube, Mbatha B (Mnguni 46'), Ncobeni, Cele, Manzini (Khenyeza 68').

Chiefs’ line-up from their 0-0 draw with Polokwane on October 31: Khune, Cardoso, Zulu, Mathoho, Gordinho, Katsande, Molangoane, Ekstein (Ekstein 76'), Parker (Paez 67'), Tshabalala (Chirambadare 85'), Maluleka.