AmaZulu out to avoid hat-trick of losses

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Mar 08, 2019. 11:46

AmaZulu will be out to avoid a hat-trick of losses in the Absa Premiership when they host title-chasing Bidvest Wits for an Absa Premiership match at King Zwelithini Stadium on 9 March 2019, kick-off at 20h15.

AmaZulu suffered a second straight defeat (and their ninth overall through the league season) when they were beaten 2-1 at KwaZulu-Natal rivals Maritzburg United on March 1.

Usuthu have claimed 20 points from 11 home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 1-0 win over Cape Town City on February 9.

Wits have gone three league matches without a win and suffered their sixth defeat of the season when they were beaten 3-2 at home by Cape Town City on March 2. The Johannesburg side has won just once in their last six outings.

The Clever Boys have claimed 21 points from 10 away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 2-1 defeat at Highlands Park on February 9.

In head-to-head stats, AmaZulu and Wits have met in 56 league matches since 1985. The Clever Boys have claimed 22 wins compared to 14 for Usuthu, while 20 matches have been drawn. The Durban side has won nine of 27 home matches against their Johannesburg counterparts, suffering six defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Bidvest Stadium in August 2018, Wits claimed a 3-0 home win thanks to goals from Gift Motupa, Mxolisi Machupu and Simon Murray. The clubs’ last four league meetings have produced 15 goals.

AmaZulu’s line-up from their 2-1 loss to Maritzburg on March 1: Mbatha, M.Gumede, Mabaliso, Van Heerden, Gumede, Darpoh, Morton, Vilakazi, Chawapiwa (Ncube 87'), Ncobeni (Sithebe 66'), Ntuli.

Wits’ line-up from their 3-2 loss to City on March 2: Keet, Hlatshwayo, Mkhwanazi (Claasen 58'), Johannes, Hlanti, Scott, Alexander (Lakay 72'), Hotto, Pelembe, Motupa, Majoro (Mere 58').