Arthur Zwane is backing his Usuthu side to bounce back at the Danie Craven Stadium on Friday. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: backpagepix
AmaZulu head coach Arthur Zwane insists there is no cause for panic at Usuthu despite Tuesday’s narrow defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns, with focus now shifting firmly to a tough Betway Premiership assignment against Stellenbosch FC on Friday night.
AmaZulu went down at Moses Mabhida Stadium, a result that denied them the chance to climb into the top three. Victory would have lifted Usuthu above Sekhukhune United and Kaizer Chiefs, but instead they remain fifth on the log with 30 points from 18 matches.
Zwane, however, took encouragement from the overall display against the reigning champions, particularly the chances his side created.
“I’m disappointed that we didn’t get something out of this game, but we will take the positives and move on,” Zwane said after the match.
“This is one game where I would not want to bash my players. I would rather give them credit even though I’m disappointed that we lost. Even in the dying minutes, we had a free header, but we could not take it.”
AmaZulu now travel to the Danie Craven Stadium aiming to turn performance into points, but recent history against Stellenbosch suggests the task will be anything but straightforward. As reflected in their recent head-to-head record, Stellies have largely had the upper hand, winning four of the last five meetings across league and cup competitions.
That run includes a 5–0 league win last year, underlining the physical and mental demands Zwane’s side will face away from home. The AmaZulu coach is under no illusions about the challenge that awaits in the Cape Winelands.
“It’s going to be difficult for everyone. There are no easy games now. There will be teams that are fighting relegation, others want to be in the top eight, and others fancy their chances of a CAF spot,” he said.
“We are going to Cape Town now, and it is not easy to play against a Stellenbosch team that also has a lot of hard runners.”
Zwane believes AmaZulu’s resilience will again be tested, particularly given Stellenbosch’s own momentum after defeating Chiefs in midweek.
“We will have to grind and keep on fighting like we have been doing. If Stellies can go away and get maximum points, it tells you that it will be tough in the second round, but we are equal to the task and I don’t doubt our players.”
Taking place on the other side of the country, is a serious matter of the local rivalry as Polokwane City and Magesi FC clash at the Seshego Stadium.
Very little separates these two teams in terms of quality but log standings suggest otherwise with bottom placed Magesi desperate for points while Rise and Shine still hold a top eight spot in seventh.
Both teams are winless in four games and will look to beat off the dark cloud with a memorable night in Polokwane.
* Smiso Msomi is Independent Media's senior football reporter and host of the Monday Review on our YouTube channel The Clutch