AmaZulu aim for return to winning form

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Oct 01, 2018. 14:49

AmaZulu will look to return to winning form in the Absa Premiership when they host provincial rivals Maritzburg United at the King Zwelithini Stadium on 2 October 2018, kick-off at 19h30.

AmaZulu have gone three matches with a win and their last league outing was a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Kaizer Chiefs in Soweto on September 22. The Durban side last registered a three-pointer when they beat Free State Stars 2-1 in August.

Usuthu, however, boast an unbeaten record at home this season. They have claimed seven points from a possible nine and held champions Mamelodi Sundowns 3-3 in their last game as hosts.

Maritzburg picked up their first win of the season in their last league outing, defeating high-flying Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 away from home on September 23 thanks to an early goal from Bandile Shandu.

The Team of Choice have played just twice away from home this term: their first was a 2-1 loss at Free State Stars in August and their second the above-mentioned win in Bloemfontein.

In head-to-head stats, Maritzburg and AmaZulu have met in 18 league matches since 2006/07. The Team of Choice has claimed nine wins compared to two for Usuthu, while seven matches have been drawn. The Durban side has claimed one win from nine home matches in the rivalry, suffering five defeats in the process.

Last season Maritzburg took four points off AmaZulu, drawing 1-1 in Durban in the first half of the campaign before claiming a 2-0 home win – thanks to goals from Bandile Shandu and Siphesihle Ndlovu – in the return game.

AmaZulu’s line-up from their 2-0 loss to Chiefs on September 22: Josephs, Sikhakhane, M. Gumede, Nyongo, Mabiliso, Ncube (Tade 63'), Vilakazi, Sithebe, Ncobeni, Ramphela (Karuru 51'), Ntuli (Khenyeza 60').

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 1-0 win over Celtic on September 23: Ofori, De Reuck, Xulu, Onyango, Sanoka, Makgalwa (Mokate 63’), Makaringe, Shandu, Kunene, Zakri (Mekoa 46’), Fileccia (Figueredo 89’).