While getting revenge over Orlando Pirates will not get AmaZulu FC back into the Nedbank Cup race, it will definitely help Usuthu’s head coach Pablo Franco and his players find solace.
Franco is still not over the manner in which his team exited the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals last weekend as the two sides prepare to renew their rivalry this weekend.
Pirates host the Durban-based team in a DStv Premiership fixture at Orlando Stadium on Saturday at 17:30.
Franco was seething after the 4-2 Cup loss to Pirates as he felt the opponents were incorrectly awarded a penalty which helped the Soweto giants get back into the game.
The Spanish-born and former Getafe tactician said it’s been difficult for his men to accept the outcome of the clash as they felt they were the better side.
“The preparation has been good so far. It has been a normal week, trying to recover from the huge shift we put in on Saturday,” Franco said.
“Also (we had to work on) the mental side because when you are playing such a good game, and when you feel you were better than the opponent in many phases of the game, we had other things preventing us from getting a win.
“Of course, everyone is disappointed but the good thing is that we have another opportunity to play them again.”
Though AmaZulu will be driven by revenge, they don’t believe Pirates, who are chasing the second-place finish in the league with an intent to qualify for the Caf Champions League.
“It is an away game, so it will be even more difficult because we are facing Pirates at Orlando Stadium and we already know that they are not only the best team in South Africa but in the whole continent,” Franco said.
“But the good thing is that we have faced them twice this season. We got one point in the first league game though they had more time to rest and prepare for the game compared to us.”
Pirates are third on the log table with 37 points from 23 and trail second-placed Stellenbosch FC by three points.
AmaZulu are in the 12th spot with 28 points and are fighting to finish in the top half of the log table.
They are two points behind the eighth-placed Kaizer Chiefs and a victory against Pirates will boost their chances.
🐍🟢⚪️ || We are taking this Energy with us to Orlando Stadium this Saturday 🔜
— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) April 19, 2024
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