AmaZulu chase second successive win

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Jan 23, 2018. 08:47

AmaZulu will chase successive wins in the Absa Premiership when they host Bloemfontein Celtic at King Zwelithini Stadium on 24 January 2018, kick-off at 19h30.

AmaZulu broke a seven-game winless streak (including three successive losses from the end of last year into 2018) by defeating SuperSport United 2-0 at home on January 20. The Durban side has yet to win back-to-back league matches this season and will hope to achieve the feat in this game.

Usuthu have claimed 13 points from nine home matches this season, with only two teams - Chippa United and Polokwane City - managing to defeat AmaZulu in their own back yard.

Celtic suffered a second successive league loss when they were beaten 1-0 at Bidvest Wits on January 19. The Bloemfontein side played much of the match with just 10 men, following a red card for Mpho Maruping on the half hour mark.

Phunya Sele Sele have claimed just nine points from as many away matches this season. Since a 1-0 win at Cape Town City in mid-October, Celtic have played five away matches, claimed just one point in the sequence and conceded 11 goals.

In head-to-head stats, AmaZulu and Celtic have met in 48 league matches since 1985. Phunya Sele Sele have claimed 19 wins compared to 12 for Usuthu, while 17 matches have been drawn. The Durban side has won 10 of their 23 home league matches against the Bloemfontein club, suffering six defeats in the process.

AmaZulu and Celtic have not met since the 2014/15 season: in that campaign, the Bloemfontein side claimed a league ‘double’ by winning 2-0 in Durban and 3-0 at home.

AmaZulu’s line-up from their 2-0 win over SuperSport on January 20: S. Mbatha, Mabiliso, Ouro-Akoriko, P. Gumede, M. Gumede, Morton, Ncube, Karuru (Mnguni 58'), Nomvethe (Darpoh 75'), Ramphele, Cele (Manzini 71').

Celtic’s line-up from their 1-0 loss to Wits on January 19: Tignyemb, Pfumbidzai, Rikhotso, Ndengane, Gordinho, Baloyi, Maruping, Hotto, Mashikinya (Mabena 49'), Phalane (Shikweni 75'), Mabasa (Masuku 49').