AmaZulu look to claim Pirates’ scalp

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Oct 05, 2018. 14:00

AmaZulu will look to claim the scalp of Orlando Pirates when the teams meet in an Absa Premiership clash at King Zwelithini Stadium on 6 October 2018, kick-off at 20h15.

AmaZulu have gone four league matches without a win and their most recent outing was a goalless stalemate at home to provincial rivals Maritzburg United on October 2.

Usuthu are unbeaten at home this season, with two draws and two victories (over Baroka FC and Free State Stars in the opening weeks of the 2018/19 campaign) from their four games as hosts.

Pirates extended their unbeaten run in the league to five matches, but will have been disappointed to draw 0-0 at home to Golden Arrows on October 3.

The Buccaneers have picked up nine points from their four away matches this season. Their last result on the road was a 2-1 win at Baroka FC in September.

In head-to-head stats, Pirates and AmaZulu have met in 55 league matches since 1985. The Buccaneers have claimed 24 wins compared to 10 for Usuthu, while 21 matches have been drawn. The Durban side has claimed six wins from 28 home league matches against the Soweto side, suffering nine defeats in the process.

Last season Pirates took four points off AmaZulu, with the teams playing out a 1-1 draw in Soweto in the first half of the campaign, before the Buccaneers won 2-1 in Durban in the return game, thanks to goals from Musa Nyatama and Thabo Qalinge.

AmaZulu’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with Maritzburg on October 2: Mbatha, Sikhakhane, Ouro-Akoriko, Van Heerden, M.Gumede, Darpoh (Morton 84'), Vilakazi, Sithebe, Karuru (Maduna 77'), Tade, Ntuli.

Pirates’ line-up from their 0-0 draw with Arrows on October 3: Mpontshane, Jele, Nyauza, Da Silva (Qalinge 85’), Matlaba, Mako (Mahachi 79’), Mlambo, Motshwari, Lorch (Shonga 62’), Pule, Mulenga.