‘Fortress’ Stadium benefits AmaZulu
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 boasts an impeccable home record at King Zwelithini Stadium this season in all competitions.
Baroka FC, Free State Stars, Bloemfontein Celtic and Lamontville 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 in 12 years.
AmaZulu have endured turbulent times against Chiefs over the years with their last victory coming back in 2007.
When they defeated Chiefs 2-1 back that season, Ernst Middendorp was in charge of Chiefs during his first spell. The German is now back in his second stint with Amakhosi.
Usuthu will hoping to get one over on Middendorp again but they know it won’t be easy. They haven’t beaten Chiefs in the past 19 league matches. In the past 20 meetings between the two sides, AmaZulu have only registered one win.
The two clubs have already met this season at FNB Stadium, where Chiefs emerged as 2-0 victors. They will be looking to complete a double over Usuthu and become the first team to get the better of AmaZulu at King Zwelithini Stadium this season.
Last season, Chiefs, came out with a point, following a 0-0 stalemate that was dominated by AmaZulu, with Rhulani Manzini missing a penalty.
AmaZulu are yet to get off the mark in 2019. They succumbed to a 3-2 defeat against Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in their opening fixture of the year, then suffered another setback this past weekend as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Highlands Park.
On other hand, Chiefs, are blowing hot and cold under the tutelage of Middendorp. They were clobbered 3-1 by Zesco United of Zambia at Ndola in Zambia this past weekend in a play-off match for the group stages of the Caf Confederation Cup.
Amakhosi have it all to do in the return leg at home this upcoming weekend. They also opened the year with the defeat against Mamelodi Sundowns in the League.
The absence of injured Itumeleng Khune has been evident for Amakhosi, with the inspirational keeper ruled out for eight months. Virgil Vries is playing in the absence of Bafana’s number one goal-minder.
Usuthu will be hoping to add in to Amakhosi’s woes and keep their unbeaten run at home intact. They have already given the big guns a run for their money in Umlazi – Sundowns and Pirates got away with one point each. 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 this campaign.
So, will Usuthu finally end their barren run against Amakhosi? Or it will be the old same story? Only time will tell.