Usuthu desperate to impress in Chippa encounter

AmaZulu will be hoping to finally pick up a win in the Betway Premiership in their clash against Chippa United at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Kick-off is at 7:30 CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

Usuthu have had a dismal start to the season, and have lost all their league matches, including getting knocked out in the Carling Black Label Cup in the Last 16 by Stellenbosch.

Currently, the Durban-based outfit is at the bottom of the league standings, and with the hiring of new co-coaches Arthur Zwane and Vusimuzi Vilakazi, they have work to do to get back on form.

As for Chippa, the team is placed third in the league with 10 points. The Chilli Boys are coming off the back of a 2-0 victory against Golden Arrows and will be keen to keep up the momentum against a struggling AmaZulu who look like a shadow of their former selves.

WHAT WAS SAID

AmaZulu co-head coach Vilakazi says that the team “must win” their fixture against Chippa, as they are currently under a lot of pressure to perform.

“We will have to grind the results, we have dig deep as a team. We strongly believe in these players and that they can change the fortunes. We are the ones who put ourselves in this situation but we can come out through our hard work and commitment,” he said.

“Going into the game against Chippa where we will be playing at home, we need to make sure that we get three points. If we get that win, we strongly believe that we will change the fortunes because it is important for the club.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Hendrick Ekstein, AmaZulu - The midfielder scored in the match against Orlando Pirates after coming off the bench and will be hoping his consolation goal will earn him a start in the clash against the Chilli Boys.

Stanley Nwabali, Chippa United - The Nigerian goalkeeper was rumoured to be making a switch to a bigger team, but as it stands he’s keeping things up with his current. A clean sheet will show he’s worth the hype in this potentially crunching match.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2019/20 AmaZulu 0-2 Chippa Twala 2

2019/20 Chippa 1-0 AmaZulu Gamildien

2020/21 AmaZulu 3-1 Chippa Mulenga, Memela 2; Nhlapo

2020/21 Chippa 0-1 AmaZulu Xoki (pen)

2021/22 Chippa 1-1 AmaZulu Eva Nga; Majoro

2021/22 AmaZulu 2-2 Chippa Memela 2; Eva Nga 2

2022/23 AmaZulu 1-2 Chippa Zulu; Pietersen (pen), Matrose

2022/23 Chippa 0-2 AmaZulu Dion, Gumede

2023/24 Chippa 1-1 AmaZulu Mothwa (og); Gumede

2023/24 AmaZulu 2-1 Chippa Moremi, Ekstein; Kwayiba