AmaZulu seek redemption against Orbit after MTN8 exit

AmaZulu FC will go head to head with Orbit College in their opening 2025/26 Betway Premiership match at the 12 000-capacity Princess Magogo Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

Usuthu were narrowly defeated 3-2 by Stellenbosch FC in extra-time of their 2025 MTN8 quarterfinal clash in Cape Town on 3 August, with Keagan Allan and Tebogo Mashigo scoring for coach Arthur Zwane's side.

However, AmaZulu are undefeated in three Betway Premiership matches, having concluded the 2024/25 season with two successive draws against Polokwane City and Orlando Pirates after defeating Golden Arrows.

Meanwhile, Orbit were inactive competitively last weekend and they are set to make their debut in the top flight against AmaZulu, after being promoted following their successful PSL Promotion/Relegation playoffs campaign in June.

Mswenko Boys are enjoying an eleven-match unbeaten run across all competitions, including seven matches in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, which saw them finish second in the competition.

TEAM NEWS

Both teams have no suspension concerns coming into this league opener and they are expected to unleash their new signings when the two teams meet in KwaMashu.

Experienced striker Ryan Moon headlines AmaZulu's new signings after being snapped up following his exit from Usuthu's KZN rivals, Golden Arrows, while Monnapule Saleng is Orbit's marquee acquisition, having joined the North West side on loan from Orlando Pirates.

WHAT WAS SAID?

AmaZulu FC head coach Arthur Zwane

"We want to continue where we left off and build on our log position from last season. The battle for the top eight will be fierce, but we are ready," Zwane said.

“The games will come thick and fast, but at least this time we’ve got a full week to prepare. You can imagine if, after playing this tough match, we had to play on Wednesday — it was going to take a lot from us.

"But this time we can recover and prepare the players both physically and psychologically for what’s to come against Orbit.”

Orbit head coach Pogiso Makhoye

"After their match last weekend, we expect AmaZulu to have match sharpness. We have to go there and do what we usually do... Very difficult because we have only two weeks to prepare, because we had to give players a rest," Makhoye said.

“But we had to go through it because we didn’t win the league outright, so we knew we had to go through the playoffs, and then we knew those were the challenges that we had to go through.

"But the boys are coming all right because we’ve been together for the past four years, so it’s not like a new team.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tebogo Mashigo, AmaZulu: The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has established himself as a key player under Arthur Zwane, having scored in two of his last three competitive matches, netting against Stellenbosch FC and Polokwane City.

Siyabulela Mabele, Orbit College: The Orlando Pirates product is an influential player in the Mswenko Boys side and he found the back of the net 10 times in the Motsepe Foundation Championship last season, while also netting against Casric Stars in the PSL Promotion/Relegation playoffs.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be the first-ever official meeting between AmaZulu and Orbit.