AmaZulu, Baroka set for King Zwelithini battle

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Aug 03, 2018. 10:00

AmaZulu and Baroka FC will open their Absa Premiership campaigns with a clash at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday, 4 August 2018, kick-off at 20h15.

AmaZulu, upon their return to the top flight last season, came home in ninth place and narrowly missed out on a top eight finish, with 35 points from their 30 matches. Coach Cavin Johnson will look to take the Durban team to a new level in this campaign.

Usuthu’s home form saw them pick up 23 points from 15 matches, as they recorded six wins, five draws and four defeats as hosts through the 2017/18 season.

AmaZulu’s work in the transfer market saw them sign experienced campaigners such as Moeneeb Josephs, Nhlanhla Vilakazi and Marc van Heerden to boost their squad.

Baroka only just avoided the Absa Premiership’s relegation zone on the standings (as they finished 14th), but their haul of 34 points was seven more than second-from-bottom Platinum Stars.

Bakgaga’s away form saw them pick up 15 points from as many matches, as they recorded three wins, six draws and six defeats as visitors through the 2017/18 season.

Baroka’s work in the transfer market saw them lose the likes of Gift Motupa and Virgil Vries, while players such as Emmanuel Letlotlo, David Zulu and Ananias Gebhardt have been brought on board.

In head-to-head stats, AmaZulu and Baroka have met in just two previous top flight league matches. Both encounters took place last season, with the teams drawing 1-1 in Durban, before the return game in Polokwane ended 2-0 in favour of Bakgaga.