AmaZulu chase hat-trick of victories

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Dec 12, 2018. 08:47

AmaZulu will chase a third successive win in the Absa Premiership when they host Bloemfontein Celtic at the King Zwelithini Stadium on 12 December 2018, kick-off at 19h30.

AmaZulu secured back-to-back wins for the first time this season when they defeated Highlands Park 2-1 and Chippa United 1-0 (both away from home) on November 27 and 30 respectively.

Usuthu have claimed 10 points from their six home matches this season (and boast an unbeaten record) but their last win as hosts was against Free State Stars way back in August.

Celtic suffered their third defeat of the season (they have all arrived in their last seven league outings) when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Polokwane City on December 2.

Phunya Sele Sele have claimed 10 points from five away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 2-1 win at Bidvest Wits in early November.

In head-to-head stats, AmaZulu and Celtic have met in 50 league matches since 1985. Phunya Sele Sele have claimed 19 wins compared to 12 for Usuthu, while 19 matches have been drawn. The Durban side has won 10 of their 24 home league matches against the Bloemfontein club, suffering six defeats in the process.

Last season the teams cancelled each other out in both league meetings, drawing 0-0 in Durban in January 2018 and 1-1 in Bloemfontein in April of the same year. Celtic are unbeaten in their last six league matches against AmaZulu.

Celtic’s line-up from their 2-1 loss to Polokwane on December 2: Tignyemb, Sam, Letlabika, Gordinho, Rikhotso (Letsoalo 51'), De Jongh (Shikweni 51'), Mashikinya, Maema, Dlamini, Mabena, Mabaso (Mangweni 84').

AmaZulu’s line-up from their 1-0 win over Chippa on November 30: Mbatha, Sikhakhane (Gumede M 66'), Mabiliso, Van Heerden, Nyongo, Ncube, Vilakazi, Morton, Maduna (Sithebe 72'), Tade, Khenyeza (Ntuli 62').