AmaZulu, Stars targeting three points
AmaZulu and Free State Stars will be in search of maximum points when they meet in an Absa Premiership clash at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, kick-off at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).
Both clubs are enjoying similar form in the league with their last three results consisting of a win, a loss and a draw.
Usuthu edged the University of Pretoria 1-0 but then went on to lose to Bloemfontein Celtic by the same margin, before playing to a 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday night.
Roger Palmgren’s men grabbed the lead late in the game, but allowed Sundowns to net the equaliser and fullback Tsweu Mokoro says although they were intent on collecting all three points, they have to accept an away point.
“We need all the points we can get and we knew that going into the game but unfortunately we were not able to hold on after scoring the goal,” he said.
“It was disappointing because we were so close but at the end of the day we have to remain positive, take the point and look for a more solid performance in our next game.”
Usuthu are currently sitting in 15th place on the table with nine points from 11 matches and the former Moroka Swallows player believes they have to take the game to Stars.
“It’s going to be a difficult game because they have skilful players with a lot of speed but we’ve looked more organised recently as a team, we just need to stop making errors,” said Mokoro.
“It’s our home game so we have to make sure that we score first, but this time we have to kill the game and stay tight in the midfield and at the back.”
The Ea Lla Koto defeated Ajax Cape Town 2-1, but then went on to lose 1-0 to Orlando Pirates, before they were held to a 0-0 draw by the University of Pretoria on Wednesday.
In-between those games they played a gruelling Telkom Knockout encounter against rivals Bloemfontein Celtic where they lost 3-2 after extra time, and goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene believes they suffered from the after-effects.
“We were not that impressive against Tuks but the most important thing is that we didn’t lose,” he said.
“It was quite clear that the game against Celtic took a lot from the players, the legs were a bit heavy and we were not as sharp as we normally are.”
Steve Komphela’s men are currently in placed ninth on the Absa Premiership log with 14 points from 11 matches and the Zambian international believes they have to improve their away record.
“We haven’t done very well playing away from home but that is something we are determined to change,” said Mweene.
“We’re looking forward to the game against AmaZulu but I believe it’s going to be tough, not only physically, but mentally as well.
“They may be in a bad position on the table but they are not a bad side at all, maybe luck has not been on our side.
“We’ll approach this game the same way as a game against the teams that are on top of the log because all teams are fighting for points.”
Stars will also gain inspiration from last season’s record against AmaZulu, where they won 1-0 in Durban, before securing a 2-1 win at home.
