AmaZulu out to keep title hopes alive with Baroka win

AmaZulu FC will square off with Baroka FC in the DStv Premiership match at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Tuesday. Kick-off is at 3:00 pm CAT.

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Usuthu kept their hopes of winning the league title alive by edging out Lamontville Golden Arrows 1-0 away on May 1 and they are also undefeated in their last 16 games.

Therefore, the KwaZulu-Natal giants are placed second on the league standings - seven points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns with four matches left.

Benni McCarthy, the AmaZulu head coach, says they are focused on winning their last four games starting with the clash against Baroka.

“With the quality that we have we can compete against anyone and we’ll take it game by game and we’ll work towards that [winning the remaining four matches]‚” McCarthy said.

“Ours is about bettering ourselves as a team and you could see in the matches that we’ve played that it was always about AmaZulu. We didn’t care about the opposition that we were playing against. We just prepared well for them.”

Meanwhile, Baroka's ambitions of finishing in the top eight took a knock when they extended their winless run to three games in the league with a 1-1 draw with SuperSport United away on May 1.

As a result, Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele are placed 10th on the standings - three points behind eighth-placed TS Galaxy as the race for the top eight places continues.

Matsimela Thoka, the Baroka head coach, is hopeful that they can end AmaZulu's current three-match winning streak when the two teams meet in Durban.

"Yeah very tough, they are on fire those guys, but we need to prepare. We want to be the team to stop their winning run," Thoka said.

"So we need to make sure we prepare thoroughly for that game going to Durban, the players have to show their seriousness. I hope we will get something from this game."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

AmaZulu

Luvuyo Memela: The experienced attacking midfielder is now AmaZulu's joint-top scorer in the league after netting his eighth goal of the season against Arrows. Memela will be keen to inspire Usuthu to another win.

Augustine Mulenga: The Zambia international remains at the top of the league's assists charts having grabbed his ninth assist of the season in the win over Arrows. Mulenga could be key to an AmaZulu win over Baroka.

Baroka

Oscarine Masuluke: The towering sho-stopper has re-established himself as Baroka's first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Elvis Chipezeze. Masuluke will have to bring his A game to ensure that Baroka avoid a defeat in Durban.

Evidence Makgopa: The promising striker is enjoying his best season in the top flight league having netted seven goals and recorded two assists.

Makgopa will be eager to play a vital role in helping Baroka beat AmaZulu.