Cape Argus E-dition

AmaZulu aim to shake off poor run against Maritzburg

ESHLIN VEDAN eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za

AMAZULU attacking midfielder Hendrick Ekstein says that his side is working hard ahead of their KwaZulu-Natal derby against Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium today.

“We’ve been preparing hard after we drew against Chiefs. It won’t be an easy match as derbies are never easy but we are ready for the match. For us the only thing we have to do is score goals. We are creating opportunities and scoring goals. It’s not only the strikers’ problem but a problem for all of us,” said Ekstein.

Usuthu have won one out of their last six games in all competitions and enter the match against the Team of Choice on the back of a 1-1 draw with

Kaizer Chiefs.

While there is no shame in drawing to Chiefs, AmaZulu coach Benni McCarthy was irate after the game, lamenting the fact that his side wasted too many chances when they dominated possession.

Usuthu have also been unable to emulate their heroic form that led to them finishing a record-high second place in the league last season. They have won three out of their 12 league games to date and go into this clash eighth in the standings.

On paper, AmaZulu have the qualities required to inflict defeat upon Ernst Middendorp’s charges but Maritzburg have proven to be a problem for the Durban side in recent years.

Usuthu have won one out of their last 12 games against Maritzburg with

the latter winning six times in that period.

The Team of Choice are also not in the best of form. They extended their winless run to four matches in the league following their 0-0 stalemate with Marumo Gallants earlier in the week.

However, given that Maritzburg have less resources and ambition than AmaZulu, their form is not much cause for concern as they are still four points above the relegation zone and four points behind eighth-placed AmaZulu.

Middendorp can be expected to use a high defensive line against Usuthu to counter the threat of the likes of Bongi Ntuli and Augustine Mulenga. AmaZulu will need to ensure that they attack well or they may be frustrated by their provincial neighbours.

AUCTIONS

en-za

2021-11-28T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-11-28T08:00:00.0000000Z

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