Playing in Umlazi is not normal for Chiefs
DURBAN: Do not read too much into AmaZulu’s 3-0 Telkom Knockout defeat to Kaizer Chiefs last month.
Tonight will be a different ball game, with the venue, atmosphere and some of the AmaZulu personnel changed for the PSL clash.
And with a bit of luck the result will be different too, hopes AmaZulu coach Cavin Johnson.
Playing this game at the 15 000-capacity King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, instead of Moses Mabhida Stadium, limits the chances of Chiefs supporters significantly outnumbering the home fans.
It means the crowd will be closer to the action, making for a different atmosphere.
Johnson is likely to field midfield workhorse Michael Morton and ex-Chiefs winger Ovidy Karuru to make for a changed line-up than the one in the Cup tie. These changes, Johnson expects, will filter onto the pitch where Usuthu will aim to be a touch more clinical than in the Cup.
Johnson is still smarting over that defeat, where his team missed two early scoring opportunities before Amakhosi won with two of their goals coming via deflections.
“In the Cup game I thought if we had put away the chances that Rhulani (Manzini) and Mabhuti (Khenyeza) had, then it could have been a different game. They had two deflected goals, but take nothing away from George Maluleka’s goal, which was well taken,” said Johnson yesterday.
“We have seen areas of their game that we think we can exploit, and they have certain strengths which we will defend. Taking the game to Moses would be like making it a home game for Chiefs. King Zwelithini is our home, and playing there is not normal for Chiefs.”
Morton is back from suspension, while Zimbabwean international Karuru returns following two months out injured.
Chiefs come to KZN with changes, too.
Following the weekend’s 1-0 semi-final Cup loss to Wits, Chiefs will be without midfielder Wiseman Meyiwa who was sent off on Saturday.
The defeat leaves Chiefs coach Steve Komphela with only the league and Nedbank Cup to target for silverware, following two barren seasons under his command. It should therefore be a fired-up Chiefs outfit, said Manzini, but one AmaZulu believe they have the measure of.