AmaZulu aim to continue fine form
AMAZULU can prove that they are truly now among the elite clubs by recording a home victory over runaway league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns at Jonsson Kings Park in Durban today.
Second placed Usuthu head into the top-of-the-table contest against the Brazilians in terrific form, having recorded six straight victories in the Premiership.
Augustine Mulenga, one of AmaZulu’s star attackers this season, has emphasised that his teammates are working hard ahead of today’s match.
“I can see that everyone has been pushing and looking forward to this game against Sundowns. I’m also looking forward to the game as it’s a big game. If we get three points, it will get us closer to them as they are the league leaders,” said Mulenga.
Sundowns who lead AmaZulu by six points on the standings, despite having played two games less, will be looking to return to winning ways following their shock Nedbank Cup semi-final penalty shootout defeat to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila on Sunday.
“It’s a game which is of utmost importance to us. All the games for us now are Cup finals and we have to approach them as such. It has not been easy to prepare following an unfortunate result against TTM in the Nedbank Cup, but we have to dust ourselves off and show mental resolve. We have to produce a good performance because when two very good teams meet you will have no chance if you do not play well,” said Sundowns co-coach Rhulani Mokwena.
The match promises to be a thriller, especially considering that their last game which was played in November at Loftus ended in a 4-3 win for Sundowns. Though Sundowns have dominated recent meetings between the two sides, Mokwena is aware that the AmaZulu they will play today is very different to the one his team played in recent years.
“They have good technical staff, are well coached and have very good players. There is a clear identity to them, their build-up structure is clear, their high-pressing instincts are clear and their final-third preparation in terms of how they build their attack is clear.
“The influence of the midfield triangle they have with Sphesihle Maduna, Siyathembe Sithebe, Makhehlene Makhaula and Xola Mlambo creates possibilities of influencing both phases of the game. It will be interesting but we have to be able to give our best performance,” said Mokwena.