Amazulu out to end Chiefs' MTN8 dream

AmaZulu FC will go head to head with Kaizer Chiefs in an MTN8 semifinal second-leg match at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 3:30 pm CAT.

Usuthu are in control of this tie having grabbed an important away goal in the first-leg encounter which was played in Johannesburg three weeks ago and they will progress to the final if they keep a clean sheet against Chiefs.

However, the KwaZulu-Natal giants are enduring a poor run having extended their winless run to seven matches across all competitions when they drew 1-1 with Maritzburg United in a DStv Premiership clash in midweek.

Romain Folz, the AmaZulu head coach, is winless in his first two matches in charge of the team, but he is confident of masterminding a victory over Chiefs.

“Yes, it is seven games but I have lost [just] one [while in charge of Marumo Gallants]. I haven’t won yet and the rest have been draws. You can always argue that. If you remember back at Gallants, we conceded against Royal AM in the last minute and here we got the red card (to Tercious Malepe on Wednesday)," Folz said.

“The previous game against Pirates, a lot of things happened there, so it has been eventful. But I’m someone who believes that, if you keep working, if you put your mind on what you are doing, at some point it will turn in your way…

“One thing for sure we are going to enter the game against Chiefs, and we will give our best. We will give them a tough time and we will do what we need to do to win, and we will win that game and go to the final.”

Meanwhile, Chiefs, who are the most decorated club in the history of the Top 8 competition with 15 titles, are on the back foot as it is imperative for the Soweto giants to find the back of the net against AmaZulu.

The Glamour Boys are coming into this cup encounter winless in their last two matches having fought back to hold TS Galaxy to a 2-2 draw in a DStv Premiership match in midweek.

Arthur Zwane, the Chiefs head coach, revealed that he has been watching AmaZulu's matches and he urged his charges to be cautious when they face the KwaZulu-Natal giants.

“I watched them against Pirates. I also watched them last night (against Maritzburg). Obviously, their approach is very different compared to the previous coach,” Zwane said.

“They are more dangerous now because they are using all the offensive players very well. The chances they created against Orlando Pirates and the chances they created last night. I saw a lot of differences and a dangerous team going forward.

“We have to be a bit cautious, make sure we tighten our screws because we’ve been letting in goals very cheaply, but that’s something we will work on."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

AmaZulu:

Veli Mothwa: The Bafana Bafana international has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the country and his goalkeeping heroics could key to an AmaZulu win over the cup kings of South African football.

Frank Mhango: The Malawian hitman marked his return from suspension by scoring against Maritzburg. Mhango will be confident scoring against Chiefs once again having also netted in the first-leg encounter.

Kaizer Chiefs:

Keagan Dolly: The Chiefs vice-captain is a set-piece specialist who has netted three goals in his last five matches including one in the first-leg clash against AmaZulu. Dolly will pose a big threat to AmaZulu from free-kicks and corner-kicks.

Khama Billiat: The former Zimbabwe international marked his return to the starting line-up with an assist against AmaZulu and he will be hoping to play an instrumental role in helping the Soweto giants overcome AmaZulu.

HEAD-TO-HEAD (since 1985)

PREVIOUS CUP MEETINGS

Season Cup Result Scorers

1987 Mainstay Cup, final Chiefs 1-0 AmaZulu Maponyane

1989 JPS, 1st round Chiefs 4-0 AmaZulu Thindwa, McGregor 2,

Khuse

1992 Coca-Cola Cup, final Chiefs 1-3 AmaZulu Phadime; Magagula,

Dearnley, Mwale

1994 BP Top 8, semifinal AmaZulu 1-2 Chiefs Magagula; Nyirenda,

Amukola

2010/11 Telkom KO, last 16 AmaZulu 0-2 Chiefs Nale, Letsholonyane

2017/18 Telkom KO, last 16 Chiefs 3-0 AmaZulu Maluleka, Ekstein,