AmaZulu look to break winless streak

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Apr 03, 2018. 14:29

AmaZulu will look for a return to winning form in the Absa Premiership when they host Ajax Cape Town at King Zwelithini Stadium on 3 April 2018, kick-off at 19h30.

AmaZulu have gone four league matches without a victory after they held Kaizer Chiefs 0-0 in Soweto on March 17. The Durban has taken just two points from a possible 12 in the sequence.

Usuthu have claimed 17 points from 12 home matches this season, though their last game as hosts ended in a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns in early March.

Ajax suffered a 1-0 loss away to Bloemfontein Celtic on March 4, their 12th defeat of the league season. The Cape side has picked up two wins, two losses and a draw in their last five league outings.

The Urban Warriors have the worst away record in the league this season, with just three points (and no wins) from 12 matches on the road. Their last two away games have both ended in 1-0 defeats.

In head-to-head stats, Ajax and AmaZulu have met in 25 league matches since 1999/2000. The Urban Warriors have claimed 11 wins compared to seven for Usuthu, while seven matches have been drawn. The Durban side has won five of their 12 home league matches against their Cape counterparts, suffering five defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, in Cape Town in November 2017, they played to a 2-2 draw. Former Ajax striker Mabhuti Khenyeza scored a last-gasp equaliser for AmaZulu, who are unbeaten in their last six league games against the Cape side.

AmaZulu’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with Chiefs on March 17: Murambadoro, Sikhakhane, Mabiliso (Lumnkwana 76’), P. Gumede (Nyongo 86’), M. Gumede, Ouro Akoriko, Ncube, Mnguni, Cele, Karuru, Khenyeza (Ncobeni 69’).

Ajax’s line-up from their 1-0 loss to Celtic on March 4: Petersen, Zwane, Pietersen (Gaxa 46’), Booysen, Lebusa, Malepe, Nel, Kabwe, Zakri (Ndoro 62’), Lakay, Losper (Margeman 54’).