Jabu Maluleke vs. Dean Furman
last game against Highlands Park, he won the ball nine times and had a big role as the side had 56.3% possession away from home. Up against him will be Xola Mlambo, who is averaging 65.6 passes per 90 minutes this season and whom all of Pirates’ build-up play funnels through. Malepe will need to close Mlambo down quickly or look to block his forward passing options, and has a real chance here to show Pirates that they made a mistake not keeping him in their squad this season. KEY STATS
This is another game where the winner of the midfield battle will have a great chance of progressing in this tie. The home side have 36-yearold Jabu Maluleke facing his former club in a number 10 role. He topped the Absa Premiership assists charts last season, and his superb vision and slide-rule passes for pacey runners like Rodney Ramagalela will need to be constantly monitored and snuffed out. The man who is likely to be tasked with keeping a watchful eye on Maluleke is Dean Furman, who has been outstanding in several big games this season both as a pure holding midfielder or in a box-to-box role. His switches of play, aggressive pressing and quick forward passes on counter attacks are a crucial aspect of SuperSport’s style under Kaitano Tembo. If the Tshwane side can keep their former player quiet on Rise and Shine’s side, then they will have much less defending to do, and have more chance of keeping Ramagalela quiet. The veteran captain of Polokwane City is creating 3.26 chances per 90 minutes this season, the most in the PSL. By hook or by crook, Furman will need to stop him from dictating affairs! KEY STATS MATCH FACTS
• AmaZulu have failed to win any of their last five matches, losing twice and drawing three times.
• Usuthu have failed to score in three of their last five games, whilst conceding nine times in that run.
• Cape Town City are on a seven-game run without a win in the league, although they did lift the MTN8 trophy after a 0-0 draw and win on penalties over that period.
• The Citizens are without a win in 11 games on the road in the Absa Premiership (6D, 5L), but they did beat Maritzburg United 1-0 on their travels in the MTN8 quarter-finals earlier this season.
• AmaZulu have faced Cape Town City twice since the latter was formed, with both sides winning their home games 1-0.
Key battle Nhlanhla Vilakazi vs. Ayanda Patosi
After leaving Free State Stars last season, Vilakazi joined AmaZulu and has given the side an excellent passing presence in deep midfield areas, with his calm play and quick movement off the ball. With Usuthu building most of their attacks around him, it will be crucial that Cape Town City have their number 10 dropping back to contain him. For Benni McCarthy’s side, that is likely to be Ayanda Patosi, who has looked reborn this season with greater fitness levels and more time on the pitch. His is averaging 2.07 shots from outside the box per match this season, with his delivery from set-plays and his threat from direct free kicks both huge weapons for his side. Vilakazi will look to keep the ball for his side, but may find himself kept busy with Patosi’s movement between the lines. If the latter is ignored, then he could win this game single-handedly, as he often does when he is at his best. KEY STATS