AmaZulu look to claim Chiefs’ scalp

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Jan 15, 2019. 12:18

AmaZulu will look to claim the scalp of Absa Premiership giants Kaizer Chiefs when the teams meet at King Zwelithini Stadium on 16 January 2019, kick-off at 19h30.

AmaZulu played to their fifth draw of the season when they were held 0-0 at home by Highlands Park on January 12. The Durban side has taken a respectable 13 of the last 21 points up for grabs.

Usuthu have claimed 17 points from nine home matches this season. The team in green and white have yet to taste defeat as hosts in the 2018/19 campaign.

Chiefs returned to winning form in the league with a 2-0 win away to log leaders Bidvest Wits on January 9, with goals from Leonardo Castro and Hendrick Ekstein.

The Amakhosi have claimed 13 points from nine away matches this season. Their win at the Clever Boys was a first three-point haul on the road since beating Free State Stars in Bethlehem in September.

In head-to-head stats, AmaZulu and Chiefs have met in 55 league matches since 1985. The Amakhosi have claimed 34 wins compared to seven for Usuthu, while 14 matches have been drawn. The Durban side has won just five of their 26 home league matches against their Soweto counterparts, suffering 13 defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, Chiefs claimed a 2-0 home win at FNB Stadium in September 2018 thanks to goals from defenders Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Siyabonga Ngezana. The Amakhosi have put together a 19-game unbeaten run in the league against AmaZulu which stretches back to the 2006/07 campaign.

AmaZulu’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with Highlands on January 12: Mbatha, M. Gumede, Nyongo, Mabaliso, van Heerden, Sithebe, Vilakazi, Darpoh (Ramphele 74’), Karuru (Cele 80’), Tade (Ncobeni 90’), Ntuli.

Chiefs’ line-up from their 2-0 win over Wits on January 9: Vries, Moleko, Cardoso, Hadebe, Booysen, Ntiyantiya, Maluleka (Gordinho 75’), Ekstein, Billiat (Parker 73’), Manyama, Castro.