AmaZulu, Arrows braced for KZN Derby showdown

AmaZulu FC will renew their rivalry with Golden Arrows in Saturday's Carling Knockout quarterfinal match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Kick-off is at 7:00 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

Usuthu are coming into this KwaZulu-Natal Derby encounter undefeated in their last three competitive matches including a 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs in the Carling Knickout Round of 16 clash on October 21.

AmaZulu view this cup competition as an opportunity to end their 31-year wait for a major trophy. The last time Usuthu lifted a major trophy was in 1992 which was the Coca-Cola Cup.

The Durban side will be up against an Arrows side that is in top form at the moment having stretched their unbeaten run to seven wins when they claimed a 2-1 win over Chiefs in a DStv Premiership on October 28.

Abafana Bes'thende are also on their own mission to end a 14-year wait for a major trophy. The Lamontville outfit clinched the 2009 MTN8 and it remains the club's only major trophy so far,

TEAM NEWS

AmaZulu will be without Taariq Fielies, Bonginkosi Ntuli and Ethan Brooks, who is suspended. Veluyeke Zulu, Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Celimpilo Ngema are also injury doubts.

Arrows, on the other hand, have no suspension concerns and Thabani Zuke could be included in a matchday squad after recovering from a long-term injury.

WHAT WAS SAID?

AmaZulu FC head coach Pablo Franco Martin

"Arrows are doing well but we are also playing well and we are happy to play in the quarterfinals," Franco Martin said.

"It's an opportunity for us to go to the next round and an opportunity to win the trophy for the team for the first time in a very long time and we will do our best.

"We are missing some injured players but all the players know that it is difficult to win trophies. We know it's been a long time since we've beaten the Arrows and what a debut game means, not only to them but to the team and the fans."

Golden Arrows head coach Mabhuti Khenyeza

“We have a rule here that we can only celebrate for 48 hours and after that, it’s done. That result against Chiefs, we must forget it," Khenyeza said.

"This is a new game, a different challenge with different opposition. What we have done before doesn’t determine what we should do.

"I even forgot about that win against Chiefs and the focus is on AmaZulu now, that’s what is important. Football is not about the past but what you have to do and we try by all means to make sure we are humble all the way.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

AmaZulu FC:

Veli Mothwa: The experienced goalkeeper has been in good form - keeping two clean sheets in his last three matches including the cup game against Chiefs and he could be key to AmaZulu's win over Arrows

Tshepang Moremi: The youngster will be oozing with confidence after being named in the latest Bafana Bafana provisional squad. Moremi's trickery and explosiveness are likely to unsettle Abafana Bes'thende's defence.

Golden Arrows: 

Nduduzo Sibiya: The influential playmaker has grabbed two assists and a goal in his last two matches for Arrows. Sibiya has the ability to single-handedly inspire Abafana Bes'thende to a victory over AmaZulu.

Knox Mutizwa: The dangerous marksman has hit form having netted three goals in his last two matches including the cup match against Cape Town City and he will be confident of scoring in the KwaZulu-Natal Derby.

HEAD-TO-HEAD (since 2001/02)

PREVIOUS CUP MEETINGS

Season Cup Result Scorers

2003/04 Coca-Cola, 1st rd Arrows 2-1 AmaZulu Khenyeza, Lakay; Nxele

2009/10 MTN8 semi, 1st leg AmaZulu 1-2 Arrows Ngxabi; R. Henyekane 2

2009/10 MTN8 semi, 2nd leg Arrows 2-0 AmaZulu Musona, Manqana

2014/15 Nedbank Cup, 1st rd AmaZulu 1-2 Arrows Mwape; Khenyeza, Pietersen (og)

2020/21 Nedbank Cup, 1st rd Arrows 1-1* AmaZulu Gumede; Majoro

*After extra time, AmaZulu won 5-4 on penalties

CUP RECORD

P W D L GF GA

AmaZulu 5 0 1 4 4 9

Arrows 5 4 1 0 9 4

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2018/19 AmaZulu 2-0 Arrows Ntuli 2 (1 pen)

2018/19 Arrows 1-1 AmaZulu Lunga; Ouro-Akoriko

2019/20 Arrows 1-1 AmaZulu Sibiya (pen); Ntuli (pen)

2019/20 AmaZulu 1-2 Arrows Sithebe; Mutizwa 2 (1 pen)

2020/21 AmaZulu 0-2 Arrows Sibiya (pen), Ndwandwe

2020/21 Arrows 0-1 AmaZulu Memela

2021/22 Arrows 2-2 AmaZulu Mutizwa (pen), Mathiane; Mlambo, Ntuli (pen)

2021/22 AmaZulu 1-2 Arrows Maduna; Ndwandwe, Sibiya (pen)

2022/23 AmaZulu 0-1 Arrows Mmodi

2022/23 Arrows 1-0 AmaZulu Ndlovu

OVERALL RECORD (all competitions)

P W D L GF GA

AmaZulu 37 12 7 18 36 45

Arrows 37 18 7 12 45 36