As the atmosphere thickens with anticipation, AmaZulu's coach Kurt Lentjies is gearing up for a thrilling encounter against provincial rivals Golden Arrows in the much-anticipated DStv Diski Challenge KwaZulu-Natal derby this Sunday.
The match, poised to kick off at 12:00 at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium, promises to be an electrifying showdown between two giants.
AmaZulu arrives at the match buoyed by recent success, boasting victories in two of their last three encounters against Arrows, with one match ending in a draw. Currently, AmaZulu sits in ninth place with 18 points, while Golden Arrows finds themselves languishing at the bottom of the Diski Challenge table with just 12 points from 14 matches.
Despite the contrasting fortunes of the two teams, Lentjies remains focused on his own squad and warns against underestimating their opponents. "Our focus is solely on what we want to achieve as a club. The form book will be cast aside once the match kicks off; it's the 90 minutes that truly matters,” he stated passionately.
𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟏𝟔
— Asidlali (@Asidlali) January 23, 2026
This weekend, we are officially entering the second round of the DStv Diski Challenge.
Kuzoshuba ngempela manje, all 16 teams are still mathematically in the race. Yes, including iNgwenya Zophuthu @goldenarrowsfc1
Yi Diski Challenge le #Asidlali pic.twitter.com/znOmJN7gK0
In a derby as fierce as this, the stakes are undeniably high, with bragging rights at stake. However, Lentjies aims to keep his players grounded amidst the heightened tension. "I’ve played here (Sugar Ray Xulu) and experienced a KZN derby myself. I want my players to approach the game with the same mindset I had when I was on the pitch. It shouldn't matter if it’s a derby; the excitement is for the supporters. For us, it’s crucial to alleviate the pressure and encourage them to enjoy the game."
With both teams ready to battle it out, fans can expect a clash that transcends the league standings, a match where pride and passion are paramount.