AmaZulu FC coach Brandon Truter says with a bit of luck Usuthu can still finish second on the DStv Premiership table and qualify for the CAF Champions League again.
After beating Baroka FC 1-0 last weekend, AmaZulu followed that up with a 1-0 victory against Maritzburg United at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
After two wins on the trot, coach Truter says seventh-placed Usuthu are still in with a shout to finish second on the table.
“I wouldn’t have taken the job if I didn’t back myself and also doing research and knowing AmaZulu with the quality of players available,” Truter tells media.
“I had no doubt the mandate [to finish in the top four] will be reached. I feel confident about reaching that mandate and even confident about maybe qualifying for the Champions League again by ending second.”
Usuthu’s remaining five fixtures of the league season are against Royal AM, Swallows FC, Sekhukhune United, Cape Town City and Golden Arrows.
Truter adds if they win these games and claim the 15 points on offer then they have a chance of grabbing second place.
“So that’s still possible with 15 points to play for. I back my boys. There’s quality throughout this team,” Truter said.
“Defending like we did [against Maritzburg], we saw the quality come through. Luvuyo Memela could have wrapped the game up and we have guys like Andre de Jong, Siphesihle Maduna and the youngster who came in [Tshepang Moremi].
“We also had Keagan Buchanan coming back and have Tapelo Xoki outside and many other players coming back, like Siphelele Mthembu.
“Unfortunately Bongi Ntuli is gone for the season, same with Augustine Mulenga. But there are many players who can add value and strengthen the team, and we’ll get better.
“The derbies [Royal and Arrows] are tricky and it can go either way as well, but I’m fairly confident in my boys.”
