Royal AM seek vengeance against AmaZulu in Nedbank Cup

In what could be a match with high stakes in terms of redemption, AmaZulu will face Royal AM in the Round of 32 of the Nedbank Cup on Thursday evening at the King Zwelithini Stadium. Kick-off is at 7:00pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

CURRENT FORM

AmaZulu are currently licking their wounds following a 3-1 defeat to struggling Cape Town Spurs in the DStv Premiership. Their previous fixture in the league ended 3-0 as they defeated Royal AM before the Africa Cup of Nations break. The team drew their previous encounter 1-1 against Cape Town Spurs in December.

As for Royal AM, the KZN outfit played to a goalless draw against Kaizer Chiefs last weekend. They also had a goalless draw against Moroka Swallows in December before their defeat to AmaZulu.

WHAT WAS SAID

Usuthu head coach Pablo Franco Martin has called for his players to improve from their last performance ahead of their cup fixture.

“We need to understand that we were not at our best level. What we need to do is work harder and play with more solidarity,” said Franco Martin.

Thwili Twala are having a lacklustre season in the DStv Premiership by their standards and have now put their hopes on the Nedbank Cup according to coach John Maduka.

“It’s one cup that’s left in the league, it’s a cup we’d love to do well in and hopefully take it. There is definitely an opportunity for us to go all out, and for us to go all out we need to take it one game at a time,” he said.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Augustine Chidi Kwem, AmaZulu - The Nigerian attacker scored a brace the last time the two sides met and there will be an expectation for him to replicate the form that was shown in the fixture.

Menzi Masuku, Royal AM - The midfielder came close to scoring in the KZN outfit’s previous match against Kaizer Chiefs and has posed a threat to a number of teams’ defenders.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

AmaZulu v Royal AM

Head-to-Head (since 2016/17)

PREVIOUS CUP MEETINGS

N/A – This will be the first cup meeting of AmaZulu and Royal AM.

CUP RECORD

N/A – This will be the first cup meeting of AmaZulu and Royal AM.

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS (top flight only)

Season Result Scorers

2021/22 AmaZulu 0-0 Royal

2021/22 Royal 0-0 AmaZulu

2022/23 Royal 2-0 AmaZulu Sera, Machupu