AmaZulu, Richards Bay in desperate bid for win

AmaZulu FC will battle it out with their KwaZulu-Natal rivals Richards Bay in a DStv Premiership match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 5:30 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

Usuthu are still winless this season having drawn 0-0 with SuperSport United at home on August 9 - extending their winless run to five matches in the league.

AmaZulu are currently placed 12th on the DStv Premiership standings with two points from two matches and they will be targeting nothing but a win over the Natal Rich Boys.

Richards Bay, on the other hand, are also winless this term having suffered a 2-1 loss to Golden Arrows at home on August 8 and they are winless in their last 16 league games.

The Natal Rich Boys find themselves placed 15th on the DStv Premiership standings without a single point from two games and they will be desperate for a win when they face AmaZulu.

TEAM NEWS

Richards Bay have no suspension concerns coming into this KwaZulu-Natal Derby encounter with three important points at stake.

However, AmaZulu star Thembela Sikhakhane is suspended having been sent off during the team's encounter against SuperSport.

WHAT WAS SAID?

AmaZulu striker Victor Letsoalo

"It feels good to be at AmaZulu," Letsoalo, who joined AmaZulu from Sekhukhune United during the current transfer window, said.

"The coach welcomed me very well. Everything is going well [and] we are busy preparing for the game against Richards Bay.

"We are looking forward to the game and the mood is good in the camp. We are just waiting for Saturday so that we can get our first victory."

Richards Bay head coach Kaitano Tembo

“We have to find the right combinations, we need to give other players an opportunity to play,” Tembo said.

“But at the same time try to build a certain combination so that we can function properly as a team. We are on the right track.

"But at the same time, we need to start picking up points.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

AmaZulu FC

Junior Sere Dion: Usuthu have failed to score in their last four league matches and if there is one player who can end the team's goal drought it's the Ivorian marksman.

Dion netted seven league goals last term and he will be looking to open his scoring account for this season against Richards Bay and propel his side to a much-needed win.

Richards Bay

Sanele Barns: The explosive attacker will carry the Natal Rich Boys' hopes of defeating AmaZulu after completing his two-match suspension.

Barns netted four goals and provided four assists in the league for Richards Bay last term and he will be eager to play an instrumental role in helping his side overcome AmaZulu.

Head-to-Head

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2022/23 AmaZulu 0-1 Bay Hlongwa

2022/23 Bay 1-1 AmaZulu Maphathe; Qalinge

LEAGUE RECORD (since 2022/23)

Home

P W D L GF GA

AmaZulu 1 0 0 1 0 1

Bay 1 0 1 0 1 1

Away

P W D L GF GA

AmaZulu 1 0 1 0 1 1

Bay 1 1 0 0 1 0

Total

P W D L GF GA

AmaZulu 2 0 1 1 1 2

Bay 2 1 1 0 2 1