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Top-four chasing AmaZulu seek Chiefs scalp

rugby14 May 2026 15:50| © Backpage TXT
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AmaZulu © Gallo Images

AmaZulu FC will look to boost their Betway Premiership top-four hopes when they host Kaizer Chiefs at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT

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CURRENT FORM

Usuthu head into the match in solid home form, remaining undefeated in their last three league matches and they are coming off a 0-0 draw away to Orbit College on May 9, which extended their run to two consecutive draws.

AmaZulu currently sit in fourth position on the log with 44 points and are two points clear of fifth-placed Sekhukhune United, and a victory over Chiefs would strengthen their bid to secure a top-four finish with one game left.

Chiefs, on the other hand, snapped a four-match winless run with a 2-0 victory away to Sekhukhune United on May 10 and they had recorded three draws, and one defeat during their barren spell.

Having already secured third place and CAF Confederation Cup football, Amakhosi are looking to end the season strongly by winning their remaining two matches against AmaZulu and Chippa United.

TEAM NEWS

AmaZulu are expected to be without first-choice goalkeeper Darren Johnson, who is out with a long-term injury, and Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya, who is also sidelined.

Kaizer Chiefs, meanwhile, remain without several key players due to injury, namely Wandile Duba, Mduduzi Shabalala, Rushwin Dortley, Zitha Kwinika, Dillan Solomons and George Matlou.

However, Lebohang Maboe returns to the squad after being rested for the Sekhukhune United match.

WHAT WAS SAID?

AmaZulu FC head coach Arthur Zwane

“If you look at the amount of work we have put in, AmaZulu have been a surprise package to be in the top four with the squad we assembled,” Zwane said.

“All of you who have interviewed me know the truth. That’s why I’m proud of these players. I don’t care what anyone says — I could die for these boys because of what they have done this season.”

Kaizer Chiefs co-head coach Khalil Ben Youssef

“I think we discussed many times the minimum this season is to qualify for the CAF, now one of the targets have been hit," Ben Youssef said.

"We said the first thing is to compete and play CAF every season and that’s the minimum for the fans and one of the biggest team in South Africa and in Africa.

"Now, we have to think 'still two games' – we have to stay focused, to compete to get the maximum points."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Hendrick Ekstein, AmaZulu: The Kaizer Chiefs academy product is enjoying one of his best seasons, having registered seven goals and four assists. He will be highly motivated to haunt his former club and inspire a big victory for Usuthu.

Glody Lilepo, Kaizer Chiefs: The lanky winger was outstanding in the win over Sekhukhune United, earning Man of the Match after grabbing an assist. With eight goals and four assists this season, he is a major attacking threat for Amakhosi.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

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

2025/26 Chiefs 1-1 AmaZulu Shabalala; Ngwenya

LEAGUE RECORD (since 1985)

Home

P W D L GF GA

AmaZulu 33 6 10 17 35 54

Chiefs 36 22 10 4 62 21

Away

P W D L GF GA

AmaZulu 36 4 10 22 21 62

Chiefs 33 17 10 6 54 35

Total

P W D L GF GA

AmaZulu 69 10 20 39 56 116

Chiefs 69 39 20 10 116 56

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