Usuthu prepare for Chippa challenge

AmaZulu will be targeting a win for a boost in consistency when they take on Chippa United in the DStv Premiership on Saturday afternoon at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

CURRENT FORM

Usuthu are coming off the back of defeats to Orlando Pirates in both the Nedbank Cup and the DStv Premiership. Prior to those back-to-back matches, the team had their first victory of the year in the league against Cape Town City. Showing a lack of consistency.

AmaZulu are currently 13th in the log, which is not so great by the team’s standards. However, they can lean on how they did a decent job in the Nedbank Cup despite being knocked out by the Buccaneers.

As for Chippa, the team Eastern Cape outfit have won three of their last league matches against Kaizer Chiefs, SuperSport United and Cape Town Spurs respectively. They are currently occupying 8th place on the league table.

WHAT WAS SAID

AmaZulu head coach Pablo Franco Martin spoke about not having Abbubaker Mobara available in this clash due to his sending off in the match against Pirates and how they reported the red card to the PSL.

''We’re not even talking about being fair. It’s about something that's crazy. So the report is there in PSL and we are waiting for two days to reply because we are expecting Mobara to be available for this game and the upcoming games,'' he said.

''Because not continuing for three games one of our key players for something that he didn’t do and it’s already proven, I think could be something again bad for this football and for this competition.''

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Augustine Mulenga, AmaZulu - In his second spell for the club, Mulenga hasn’t received much time to play but has shown brilliance when given the chance. AmaZulu are in need of goals and the forward is capable of scoring and assisting when necessary.

Bienvenu Eva Nga, Chippa United - The Cameroonian forward has scored two league goals this season in seven matches and will hope to add to his tally as the season nears its conclusion.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2018/19 AmaZulu 0-1 Chippa Mbenyane

2019/20 AmaZulu 0-2 Chippa Twala 2

2019/20 Chippa 1-0 AmaZulu Gamildien

2020/21 AmaZulu 3-1 Chippa Mulenga, Memela 2; Nhlapo

2020/21 Chippa 0-1 AmaZulu Xoki (pen)

2021/22 Chippa 1-1 AmaZulu Eva Nga; Majoro

2021/22 AmaZulu 2-2 Chippa Memela 2; Eva Nga 2

2022/23 AmaZulu 1-2 Chippa Zulu; Pietersen (pen), Matrose

2022/23 Chippa 0-2 AmaZulu Dion, Gumede

2023/24 Chippa 1-1 AmaZulu Mothwa (og); Gumede