AmaZulu FC will renew their rivalry with Royal AM in a DStv Premiership game set to be played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday.
Kick-off is at 5:45 pm CAT.
CURRENT FORM
Usuthu are undefeated in their last two matches having fought back to hold Cape Town Spurs to a 1-1 stalemate at home on 22 December.
AmaZulu are placed 10th on the DStv Premiership standings - a point behind seventh-placed Polokwane City and a win over Royal will see Usuthu finish the year in the top eight.
Meanwhile, Royal stretched their unbeaten run to three matches when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Moroka Swallows at home on 23 December.
Thwihli Thwahla are placed 13th on the DStv Premiership standings - two points behind seventh-placed Polokwane and they could also finish in the top eight if they overcome AmaZulu.
TEAM NEWS
Both teams have no suspension concerns coming into this KwaZulu-Natal Derby encounter.
🟢 FIXTURE • #DStvPremiership 🏆
— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) December 28, 2023
🆚 @RAMFC_sa
📍 Moses Mabhida Stadium
📅 Tomorrow, 29 December
🕑 17:45
📺 SS PSL (Channel 202)
🎫 R60
📲 https://t.co/ZXJEysMzOc#Indlulamithi#HebeUsuthu#UsuthuTogether pic.twitter.com/c0ZWzhtqm1
WHAT WAS SAID?
AmaZulu FC head coach Pablo Franco Martin
“We had many difficulties from the beginning – a player [Victorien Adebayor] signed a contract and never arrived,” Franco Martin said.
“We had many problems with injuries. I think at some point we were robbed of decisions by referees, that’s a fact. The situation of Bongi Ntuli which [was] traumatic for all of us. We have been through many, many things.
“Despite all those situations, we are finishing with 19 points, I think it is something to be happy about. But not today because we should have finished with 21 points based on the kind of game that we had.”
Royal AM attacking midfielder Kabelo Mahlasela
"Dropping points in our league games worries everyone in the team, not just the coach," Mahlasela said.
"So it is on our shoulders as players to fight for the team to get points in the next game.
"The games we are playing are not easy, but we are determined to fight with everything we can to come back with points."
AmaZulu FC: PLAYERS TO WATCH
Celimpilo Ngema: The diminutive attacking midfielder will be brimming with confidence after scoring his maiden goal for AmaZulu against Spurs and he will be eager to propel his side to win over Royal.
Augustine Chidi Kwem: The hard-running striker remains Usuthu's main source of goals in the league having netted four times. Kwem will be determined to add to his tally in the KwaZulu-Natal Derby.
Royal AM: PLAYERS TO WATCH
Menzi Masuku: The experienced attacking midfielder has netted twice in his last five matches and will be looking to cause havoc for AmaZulu with his late incisive runs into the opposition's box.
Mxolisi Macuphu: The 34-year-old striker is Royal's top scorer in the league having found the back of the net three times. Macuphu will carry Royal's hopes of securing a win over their provincial rivals.
Head-to-Head
ALL LEAGUE RESULTS
Season Result Scorers
2021/22 AmaZulu 0-0 Royal
2021/22 Royal 0-0 AmaZulu
2022/23 Royal 2-0 AmaZulu Sera, Machupu
2022/23 AmaZulu 1-1 Royal Ntuli; Gamildien
2023/24 Royal 0-0 AmaZulu
LEAGUE RECORD (since 2021/22)
Home
P W D L GF GA
AmaZulu 2 0 2 0 1 1
Royal 3 1 2 0 2 0
Away
P W D L GF GA
AmaZulu 3 0 2 1 0 2
Royal 2 0 2 0 1 1
Total
P W D L GF GA
AmaZulu 5 0 4 1 1 3
Royal 5 1 4 0 3 1