AmaZulu FC will be looking to down another Soweto giant in the form of Orlando Pirates when they meet at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday evening in DStv Premiership action.
Usuthu claimed the scalp of Kaizer Chiefs in their last encounter to knock the Amakhosi out of the Carling Cup knockout with a 1-0 win on Saturday night.
Pirates, meanwhile, defeated Cape Town Spurs 2-0 in the same competition on Friday and will have had an extra day’s rest compared to Usuthu.
The Buccaneers may be in 14th but bear in mind they have played at least four games less than their other DStv Premiership counterparts due to their continental commitments and a couple of postponed league fixtures to boot.
AmaZulu, meanwhile, are 11th on the standings and a win would push Pablo Franco Martin’s side into 10th spot.
🟢 MATCH-DAY • #DStvPremiership 🏆
— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) October 24, 2023
🆚 @orlandopirates
🏟️ Moses Mabhida Stadium
🕣 19:30
🎫 https://t.co/xX3eS9p44z
📺 SS PSL (Channel 202)#Indlulamithi#HebeUsuthu#UsuthuTogether pic.twitter.com/cTyAMlbAwQ
The Spanish mentor is relishing another clash against one of South Africa’s most successful footballing sides in PSL history.
“I came here [in SA] to play this kind of games, like the one we played today [against Chiefs]…to beat these opponents and to beat big teams like Chiefs you need to prepare really well and we should do the same when we are facing Pirates,” the Spaniard said.
“With [proper] preparations, I feel this team [AmaZulu] won’t fear anyone. We are ready to compete against anyone and we are capable of beating anyone but without preparations and no time to rest, it’s going to be much more difficult.”
Meanwhile, Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has also given his thoughts on the upcoming encounter.
“Trust me, our intentions are at the same level in the league games and we are now 100 per cent focused on AmaZulu on Tuesday. It doesn’t mean the other tournaments are not important,” the Spanish tactician said.
“It is an opportunity to improve the history of the club. Our focus now is on AmaZulu, Polokwane City and Cape Town Spurs again because we really want to compete in the league as well.”
