CHIEFS VISIT USUTHU’S FORTRESS
AMAZULU will be out to end their hoodoo against Kaizer Chiefs when these two teams lock horns at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi tomorrow at 7.30pm.
Usuthu boast an impeccable home record at the stadium this season, and teams like Baroka FC, Free State Stars, Bloemfontein Celtic and Arrows have all bitten the dust at Umlazi while Sundowns, Pirates, Polokwane City and Highlands Park had to settle for stalemates. Cape Town City were also shot down in the Telkom Knockout at the venue.
Despite this impressive record at home, Usuthu will be well aware that they haven’t registered a victory against Amakhosi since 2007, when they won 2-1.
Ernst Middendorp was in charge of Chiefs during his first spell at the club, and the German is now back for a second stint.
AmaZulu will hoping to get one over on Middendorp again but they know it won’t be easy.
The two clubs have already met this season, and Chiefs emerged 2-0 victors at home. They will be looking to complete a double and become the first team to get better of AmaZulu at King Zwelithini this season.
Last season, Chiefs came out with a point at King Zwelithini Stadium following 0-0 stalemate that was dominated by AmaZulu for whom Rhulani Manzini missed a penalty.
AmaZulu are yet to get off the mark in 2019, going down 3-2 against Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in their opening fixture of the year. Usuthu then suffered another setback this past weekend as they were held 0-0 by Highlands Park in a highly-contested game.
On the other hand, Chiefs are blowing hot and cold under Middendorp. They were beaten by Zesco United of Zambia 3-1 this past weekend in a play-off match for the group stages of the Caf Confederation Cup, and have all to do in the return leg at home this upcoming weekend. They also opened the year with a defeat to Sundowns in the league.
The absence of injured Itumeleng Khune has been evident for Amakhosi. Khune has been ruled out for eight months, and. Virgil Vries is playing in the absence of Bafana Bafana’s number one goal-minder.
Usuthu will be hoping to add to Amakhosi’s woes and keep their unbeaten run at home intact.
They have given the big guns a run for their money in Umlazi, and the game is expected to be a sold out affair.
All eyes will be on Khama Billiat and Emiliano Tade to deliver the goods for their respective clubs.
The two talismen have been pillars of strength for their teams this season, and have been a source of inspiration.
So, will Usuthu finally end their barren run against Amakhosi? Or will it be the old same story? Only time will tell.-