Chiefs out to take control of AmaZulu tie

Kaizer Chiefs will go head to head with AmaZulu FC in an MTN8 semifinal first-leg encounter at the FNB Stadium on Sunday. Kick-off is at 3:30 pm CAT.

The Glamour Boys reached this stage of the tournament after defeating Stellenbosch FC 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in a quarterfinal match on 28 September.

Since then, Amakhosi are enjoying a four-match unbeaten run in the DStv Premiership and the 15-time MTN8 champions will be targeting nothing but a victory in this first-leg encounter.

Chiefs' current unbeaten run includes a 0-0 draw against AmaZulu at the FNB Stadium on 3 September and head coach Arthur Zwane made it known that his side will come out with all guns blazing in their cup meeting.

“The game we played against them was a draw, now we have to come out with all guns blazing and make sure that we get a goal,” Zwane said.

“We don’t know how they are going to approach the game, whether they will sit back and play a tactical game or whether they will come at us. We must be ready for any approach that they bring on the day.

“Games are the same, but this one can push us to extra-time or penalties if we do not score goals. We have one thing in mind, we can only win if we score goals and defend well. It’s not going to come on a silver platter, we are going to have to grind and work for the result.”

Meanwhile, AmaZulu booked their spot in the semifinals after claiming a 2-1 win over Cape Town City away in a quarterfinal encounter after extra-time on 27 September.

It remains Usuthu's last win as they are currently enduring a three-match winless run in the DStv Premiership and they are hoping to grab an important away win against Amakhosi.

Brandon Truter, the AmaZulu head coach, has pointed out that his side will be looking to score in Johannesburg and take a crucial away goal into their second-leg clash which is set to be played on 23 October.

“We want to come away with an advantage in the first leg and I’m saying an advantage with an away goal,” Truter said.

“But we are conceding goals cheaply at the moment and a clean sheet will be nice. Not shutting the backdoor or anything like that, but come here with an advantage and all to play for at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

“With our fans behind us, I know we can count on them and the AmaZulu faithful are loud, they are behind us, they support us. And you know it will give extra motivation to the guys.”

Kaizer Chiefs: PLAYERS TO WATCH

Yusuf Maart: The 27-year-old midfield maestro produced a Man of the Match display as Chiefs claimed a win over SuperSport United in their last competitive game. Maart could be key to an Amakhosi win over AmaZulu.

Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana: The towering centre forward was influential in his first start for Amakhosi - grabbing a brace which inspired the Soweto giants to a victory and he will be confident of scoring once again.

AmaZulu: PLAYERS TO WATCH

Keagan Buchanan: The former Chiefs midfielder is in good form having been named Man of the Match after AmaZulu's last game which was against Mamelodi Sundowns and he will be looking to haunt Amakhosi.

Frank Mhango: The hard-running forward tends to bring his A game to big matches and he will pose a threat to the Chiefs defence. Mhango has the ability to single-handedly inspire Usuthu to a win in Johannesburg.

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, Tshabalala

CUP RECORD:

P W D L GF GA

AmaZulu 6 1 0 5 4 13

Chiefs 6 5 0 1 13 4

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS:

Season Result Scorers

2017/18 Chiefs 0-0 AmaZulu

2018/19 Chiefs 2-0 AmaZulu Mphahlele, Ngezana

2018/19 AmaZulu 2-3 Chiefs Karuru, van Heerden; van Heerden (og), Parker, Katsande

2019/20 AmaZulu 0-2 Chiefs Castro, Billiat

2019/20 Chiefs 0-1 AmaZulu Ntuli

2020/21 AmaZulu 0-1 Chiefs Nurkovic

2020/21 Chiefs 1-2 AmaZulu Castro (pen); Mulenga, Majoro

2021/22 AmaZulu 1-1 Chiefs Memela; Dolly (pen)

2021/22 Chiefs 1-1 AmaZulu Buchanan (og); Ntuli

2022/23 Chiefs 0-0 AmaZulu

OVERALL RECORD (all competitions)

P W D L GF GA

AmaZulu 69 10 17 42 51 119

Chiefs 69 42 17 10 119 51