Chiefs ‘not so special now’

For AmaZulu captain Nhlanhla Vilakazi (below), meeting Kaizer Chiefs is no longer a special event but he knows the importance of giving a big effort and taking the points when the two meet in an Absa Premiership match at the King Zwelithini Stadium this evening.

From his days at Maritzburg United and Free State Stars, Vilakazi has played against Amakhosi so many times that he doesn’t get overly excited anymore and believes there are no longer small or big clubs in the Premiership.

“In terms of performances, there are no longer small or big teams these days so we prepare the same way for everyone we come up against,” said Vilakazi. “It will be a difficult game. Their supporters are expecting them to win all their games,” he added.

Usuthu are yet to lose at home this season and Vilakazi credits that to hard work and the fight they put up on their own territory. He believes they can keep their excellent record going as long as they take their chances.

“If you look, all the games we played against the big teams were intense you can see we work hard. We are looking forward to a fast game but the result will be determined by who takes their chances. We are working on finishing our chances because that has been our hindrance in the past few games. If we can be clinical up front we shall be fine.

“You may not win games but it’s not because you play badly. For us it has been the opposite. It is perhaps because the teams now come here prepared for a fight and most just sit back and defend. We then either find it difficult to break them down or sometimes we waste our chances,” he said.

Amakhosi have lost one and won one in the Premiership in the New Year but Usuthu are yet to taste victory.

AmaZulu are 12th in the Premiership with 17 points off 17 games while Chiefs are sixth with 24 points.

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