Chiefs eye third spot with AmaZulu win

Revitalised Kaizer Chiefs have set their sights on the Betway Premiership's third spot as they prepare to host a wounded AmaZulu side at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday. Kick-off is at 7:30 pm CAT, live on SuperSport.

CURRENT FORM

Amakhosi bounced to winning ways when they claimed a 1-0 win over Angola's Kaburscop in the CAF Confederation Cup on Saturday, as the victory snapped their three-match winless run across all competitions.

Chiefs are occupying fifth spot in the Betway Premiership standings with 14 points from seven matches and a victory over AmaZulu would elevate the Soweto giants to third place which is the CAF Confederation Cup spot.

AmaZulu, on the other hand, saw their four-match unbeaten run in the league come to an end when they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to TS Galaxy on September 24, having recorded two wins and two draws before losing to the Rockets.

Usuthu find themselves placed ninth in the Betway Premiership standings with 11 points from seven matches and a win over Chiefs would see the Durban side climb into the top eight as we head into this weekend's Carling Knockout Round of 16 matches.

TEAM NEWS

One of AmaZulu's key players, Siyanda Hlangabeza will be absent, as the influential midfielder is suspended after being sent off during the TS Galaxy match, and Elmo Kambindu is yet to feature for the KwaZulu-Natal giants this season due to an injury.

Meanwhile, Chiefs are expected to be without the duo of Given Msimango and Rushwin Dortley, who are both nursing long term injuries, while Khanyisa Mayo is now available for selection after missing the Kabuscorp game as he is not registered in the CAF Confederation Cup.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Kaizer Chiefs forward Wandile Duba

"Every team brings their best when they play Kaizer Chiefs. It's not going to be easy," Duba said.

"Even though they lost their last game, AmaZulu will want to bounce back against us. Everyone wants to beat Chiefs, so we need to be ready."

AmaZulu defender Sandile Mthethwa

“The last game, as much as we lost, but it was a learning curve ahead of the game against Kaizer Chiefs. We are hoping that ahead of the Chiefs we would’ve learnt a lot," Mthethwa said.

"From training you can tell the guys are ready to fix the mistakes we made. Our objective is to win our first game away and it’s very important going to FNB. As much as it won’t be easy, the club has done it before so why not?”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Glody Lilepo, Kaizer Chiefs:The DR Congolese winger was the hero against Kabuscorp as his solitary goal earned Amakhosi the victory and he will be keen to inspire his side to another victory.

Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya, AmaZulu: The Zimbabwe international netted his third goal of the season against Galaxy and he could be the player to propel Usuthu to a much-needed victory in Nasrec.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2020/21 AmaZulu 0-1 Chiefs Nurkovic

2020/21 Chiefs 1-2 AmaZulu Castro (pen); Mulenga, Majoro

2021/22 AmaZulu 1-1 Chiefs Memela; Dolly (pen)

2021/22 Chiefs 1-1 AmaZulu Buchanan (og); Ntuli

2022/23 Chiefs 0-0 AmaZulu

2022/23 AmaZulu 4-0 Chiefs Zuma, Mphahlele, Dion, Ntuli

2023/24 Chiefs 3-0 AmaZulu Mmodi 2, Castillo

2023/24 AmaZulu 1-1 Chiefs Letsoalo; Du Preez

2024/25 AmaZulu 1-3 Chiefs Ighodaro; Chivaviro, Sirino, Miguel

2024/25 Chiefs 2-2 AmaZulu Morris, Ofori (og); Moremi, Kambindu

LEAGUE RECORD (since 1985)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Chiefs 35 22 9 4 61 20

AmaZulu 33 6 10 17 35 54

Away

P W D L GF GA

Chiefs 33 17 10 6 54 35

AmaZulu 35 4 9 22 20 61

Total

P W D L GF GA

Chiefs 68 39 19 10 115 55

AmaZulu 68 10 19 39 55 115