Kaizer Chiefs will go all out for a victory when they host AmaZulu FC at the iconic FNB Stadium in Saturday's DStv Premiership encounter.
Kick-off is at 7:30 pm CAT.
Match background
Amakhosi have been licking their wounds this week after succumbing to a 1-0 defeat to TS Galaxy last weekend and the loss piled pressure on coach Molefi Ntseki who was attacked with thrown objects by angry fans following the game in Mbombela.
This is mainly because the Soweto giants remain winless in the DStv Premiership season having recorded two defeats and one draw from their opening three games which sees the four-time PSL champions placed 13th on the league standings with one point.
Chiefs will be up against an AmaZulu side that is also winless in the current season and they are under a new coach in Pablo Franco Martin, but the Spaniard is yet to taste a defeat as his first three league games have all ended in a draw including last weekend's 0-0 stalemate against Richards Bay.
However, the former Real Madrid assistant coach will be concerned by his side's struggles in front of goal as the KwaZulu-Natal giants are yet to find the back of the net this season which sees Usuthu placed 11th on the league standings with three points.
Previous meetings
This will be the 65th league meeting between Chiefs and AmaZulu since 1985.
Amakhosi have the upper hand in this rivalry having recorded 37 victories compared to Usuthu's 10 wins while 17 games ended in a draw.
Their most recent meeting ended in a 4-0 win in favour of AmaZulu who hammered a hapless Chiefs side in a game played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in January 2023.
Therefore, Chiefs are winless in their last seven matches against AmaZulu across all competitions - losing twice and drawing five times.
What they said...
Ntseki has called for calm from the Amakhosi faithful ahead of their clash with AmaZulu as the embattled coach looks to mastermind a win that would ease pressure on himself.
“It’s a new team we have with about six new players and a new coach. We understand that the supporters want [immediate] results and that they are impatient," Ntseki said.
“But just like them, we are also frustrated with the results. We are working hard as a team to improve the situation and win games.
“Things will soon change as players try to understand each other. As coaches, we will also get our combinations right."
Meanwhile, AmaZulu right-back Wayde Jooste says there are many positives that they can take from their first three games including the fact that they are yet to concede this season.
"The mood in the camp is still the same since the first game. We can take a lot of positives from the three games that we have played," Jooste said.
"We haven't conceded a goal and we haven't lost. So, we are going into Saturday's game in high spirits. The guys are ready and we are preparing very well.
"The fans should keep supporting us and be with us all the way. We are working hard at training and during matches to get the victory and bring joy and happiness to the supporters."
Players who played for both teams
There are many players who have turned out for both Chiefs and AmaZulu since Usuthu legend Abednigo Valdez "Shaka" Ngcobo joined Amakhosi in 1972.
Over the years household names such as Emmanuel 'Scara' Ngobese, Lehlohonolo Majoro, George Maluleka and Neil Tovey have played for both clubs.
Maluleka, Mphahlele, Hendrick Ekstein and Sibusiso Mabiliso are part of the Usuthu squad that will face their former employers this weekend.
While Njabulo Ngcobo, Siyethemba Sithebe and Sifiso Hlanti are the three current Chiefs players who have donned AmaZulu's famous green colours.
Players to watch:
Kaizer Chiefs
Ashley du Preez: The speedster has handed Chiefs a much-needed boost after resuming training his teammates having missed the game against Galaxy due to a flu infection.
Du Preez has scored in each of his last two competitive matches including the win over Cape Town City in the MTN8 and he could be the man to propel Amakhosi to a win over AmaZulu.
AmaZulu FC
Bonginkosi Ntuli: The experienced centre forward has found the back of the net for Usuthu against Chiefs in each of the last two seasons with both goals coming in the league.
Ntuli is yet to find the back of the net in the current campaign, but he will be confident of scoring against a struggling Glamour Boys side and inspire Usuthu to a much-needed victory.
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