AmaZulu's Folz looks to haunt Gallants

Marumo Gallants will battle it out with AmaZulu FC in a DStv Premiership match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday.

Kick-off is at 7:30 pm CAT.

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa saw their three-match unbeaten run across all competitions come to an end when they suffered a slender 1-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns away in a league encounter on October 19.

As a result, the Limpopo-based side remains rock bottom (16th spot) on the DStv Premiership standings - three points behind 11th-placed TS Galaxy and a win over Usuthu will see Gallants climb out of the relegation zone.

Dan Malesela, the Gallants head coach, was pleased with his side's second-half performance against Sundowns and he also added that they need to redeem themselves against AmaZulu.

“We always expected it to be tough. We struggled a lot in the first half, maybe because of certain placements and as soon as we changed," Malesela said.

"We brought on some fresh blood and other players, everything changed, changed for the better, could have gone somewhere, could’ve favoured us but you can’t control certain situations.

“I’m not going to complain about certain other things. I leave them to God. We have to redeem ourselves against the next opponent, we really need the points. We need the points seriously."

Meanwhile, AmaZulu stretched their winless run to eight matches across all competitions when they drew 0-0 with Kaizer Chiefs at home on Sunday, but Usuthu progressed to the MTN8 final on the away goals rules.

The KwaZulu-Natal giants are currently placed ninth on the DStv Premiership standings - a point behind seventh-placed Stellenbosch FC and a win over Gallants will elevate Usuthu into the top eight.

AmaZulu head coach, Romain Folz, who will be facing his former club, Gallants for the first time, insisted that he is not worried by his current side's struggles in front of goal and he also believes Usuthu will soon be scoring goals again.

“I’m not worried, I know it’s going to come. To be honest, I prefer to win a solid 2-0 than a 6-4 for example," Folz said.

"As much as I want us to score, and I know we will. My priority is to get the team balanced. For every team coming to play us or us going to play them.

"For everyone to find a different task playing against us. It was the case against Chiefs. They have a very good team. For us to deny them creating chances against us, I think it’s a big accomplishment."

Marumo Gallants: PLAYERS TO WATCH

Celimpilo Ngema: The diminutive attacking midfielder has had to step up his game following Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo's departure to Orlando Pirates. Ngema, who has two goals and two assists this term, is Gallants' new talisman.

Katlego Otladisa: The skillful winger is enjoying his football again following Malesela's return to Gallants as he has been playing with confidence lately. Otladisa has the dribbling skills that unsettle AmaZulu's defence.

AmaZulu FC: PLAYERS TO WATCH

George Maluleka: The experienced central midfielder produced a Man of the Match performance against his former club, Chiefs as Usuthu secured a spot in the MTN8 final and he will be hoping to replicate the same form against Gallants.

Augustine Chidi Kwem: The Nigerian marksman got himself into good positions as he displayed some great positioning during the game against Chiefs. Kwem could be man to end AmaZulu's scoring problem.