Kaizer Chiefs will be determined to bounce back to winning ways in the DStv Premiership when they host AmaZulu FC at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 5:30 pm CAT.
The Glamour Boys claimed a win over Stellenbosch FC on penalties in an MTN8 match away on Sunday, but prior to that, they had suffered a 2-0 defeat to Cape Town City away in a league encounter last week.
The Soweto giants are currently placed ninth on the league standings with six points from five matches and a victory over AmaZulu will elevate the team into the top eight if other results go their way.Arthur Zwane, the Chiefs head coach, was happy to see Ashley du Preez return to action against Stellies and also insisted that they won’t be focusing on Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Sibusiso Mabiliso and Dumisani Zuma who recently left Amakhosi for AmaZulu.
“We knew that he (Du Preez) was not going to finish the game but what was key was for him to score the goal because that will boost his confidence, and in the next game," Zwane said.
"He should be better than this in terms of performance and he might be able to score even more goals, so we are happy to have him back. We have analysed AmaZulu and we know they are a dangerous team.
"The focus will be more on them as a team rather than individuals. There is no doubt they have good players in their squad and we will treat them with the respect they deserve.”
Meanwhile, AmaZulu are also coming off a win in the MTN8 where they edged out Cape Town City away in extra-time, but before that, they recorded their first defeat of the season - a 1-0 loss to Lamontville Golden Arrows at home in a league game last week.
Usuthu find themselves placed third on the DStv Premiership standings with 10 points from five matches and they will return to the top of the table if they overcome Chiefs and the other results go their way.
Brandon Truter, the AmaZulu head coach, explained that he might make changes to the starting lineup and made it clear that they will be targeting maximum points when they take on Amakhosi.
“We had a tough encounter over the weekend. We played for 120 minutes. The boys put up a massive fight for that game [against Cape Town City]," Truter said.
“We have tired bodies, a few niggles here and there. Luckily this week, we had some time to work on it. Hopefully, we’ll have everybody available coming to Chiefs this weekend. We’ll have to see who’s available.
“We have to see what we can manage, but any team we field can do the job, the quality, the depth in the squad and also the atmosphere and the unity at this moment is fantastic. So we back ourselves up, whether it is home or away, so we’ll try to get all the three points on offer."
Kaizer Chiefs: PLAYERS TO WATCH
Yusuf Maart: The former Orlando Pirates midfielder will make his return from suspension and he has become a key midfielder for Zwane's side. Maart will be keen to dominate the midfield battle and put Chiefs in a good position to win the game.
Ashley du Preez: The speedy striker marked his return from injury with a goal against Stellenbosch and he has now scored in two successive matches for Amakhosi. Du Preez will be hoping to continue his scoring form when he faces Usuthu.
AmaZulu: PLAYERS TO WATCH
Frank Mhango: The experienced forward is in top form at the moment having grabbed an assist against City and he was named Man of the Match. Mhango, who has three goals in the league, will be eager to add to his tally in Johannesburg.
Lehlohonolo Majoro: The former Chiefs star is brimming with confidence having grabbed the winning goal against his former side City and it was his maiden goal of the season. Majoro will now be looking to haunt Amakhosi by inspiring Usuthu to a win.