Royal AM will square off with AmaZulu FC in their opening DStv Premiership match to be played at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday.Kick-off is at 5:30 pm CAT.
CURRENT FORM
Thwihi Thwahla ended their 2022/23 campaign with a 0-0 draw against Richards Bay as they stretched their winless run to five matches in the DStv Premiership.
Royal AM were in action in the KwaZulu-Natal Premier's Cup before winning the Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup as they wrapped up their pre-season preparations on a good note.
Meanwhile, AmaZulu suffered a 4-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates in their final match of the 2022/23 season and the loss extended their winless run to three games in the DStv Premiership.
Usuthu had a successful pre-season as they won the KwaZulu-Natal Premier's Cup before narrowly losing to Royal AM in the final of the Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup.
TEAM NEWS
Royal AM have been unable to register new players due to their Fifa transfer ban, but the club has no suspension concerns in their first team coming into their clash with AmaZulu.
AmaZulu, on the other hand, will be without their new signing Celimpilo Ngema who will miss the KwaZulu-Natal Derby clash due to suspension.
WHAT WAS SAID?
Royal AM head coach John Maduka
‘‘I believe we will have a great season and we want to do well than in the past season," Maduka said.
"We have promoted very good youngsters, who will come in handy as the season progresses."
New AmaZulu FC head coach Pablo Franco Martin
"AmaZulu cannot afford to be fighting for relegation, we need to be fighting for top [half] position in the table," Franco Martin said.
"We need to try and make trouble for the top teams in this league and we need to dominate the rest of the teams in the competition.
“We are building that and it is clear from everyone that we are ready in that aspect.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Royal AM
Mdundo Thikazi: The speedy attacker established himself as one of the most dangerous wingers in the DStv Premiership last season as an impact player.
Thikazi impressively netted six goals from six league starts for Thwihli Thwihla last term and his blistering speed could create problems for AmaZulu's defence.
AmaZulu FC
Sede Junior Dion: The bulky marksman enjoyed his best season in the DStv Premiership last term having joined AmaZulu midway through the season.
Dion found the back of the net seven times in the league and the hard-working Ivorian player is expected to lead Usuthu's attack against Royal AM.
