Ajax target three points against AmaZulu

Bantu Mzwakali of Ajax Cape Town gets away from Luyanda Ntshangase of Maritzburg United during the Absa Premiership 2016/17 football match between Ajax Cape Town and Maritzburg United at Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town on 19 November 2016 ©Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Nov 24, 2017. 06:56

Ajax Cape Town will look to give their Absa Premiership campaign a boost when they host AmaZulu at Athlone Stadium on 25 November 2017, kick-off at 20h15.

Ajax suffered a 1-0 loss away to struggling Platinum Stars in their last league match back in early November. It was the Cape side’s third defeat from their last four league matches, and a fifth loss from nine overall.

The Urban Warriors have at least performed respectably at home this season, recording two wins, one draw and one defeat from four turns as hosts. Their last home match was a 2-1 win against Celtic just over a month ago.

AmaZulu played to a second successive league draw when they were held 0-0 at home by Kaizer Chiefs on November 22. The Durban side has lost just one of its last six league matches as they settle back into a good rhythm in the South African top flight.

Usuthu have played just three away matches so far this season, recording one win and two defeats. Their last trip in the league was an impressive 2-1 win at Mamelodi Sundowns last month in which veteran strikers Mabhuti Khenyeza and Siyabonga Nomvethe scored the goals.

In head-to-head stats, Ajax and AmaZulu have met in 24 league matches since 1999/2000. The Urban Warriors have claimed 11 wins compared to seven for Usuthu, while six matches have been drawn. The Cape side has won six of their 12 home league matches against their Durban counterparts, suffering two defeats in the process.

The teams have not met in the league since the 2014/15 season, a campaign in which both of their matches ended in draws: 0-0 in Durban and 1-1 in the return game in Cape Town. AmaZulu are unbeaten in their last five league matches against Ajax, and have lost just one of their last eight against the Cape side.

Ajax’s line-up from their 1-0 loss to Platinum Stars on November 1: February, Sasman, Nhlapo, Booysen, Evans, Pietersen, Mdabuka (Nxumalo 79'), Mzwakali (Margeman 69'), Makua (George 46'), Mosadi, Morris.

AmaZulu’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with Chiefs on November 22: Pule B, Gumede P, Gumede M, Mtsweni, Sikhakhane, Morton, Ncube, Mnguni, Ncobeni (Karuru 60'), Cele (Darpoh 90'+1), Manzini (Ntsundwana 82').