AmaZulu aim for league win against Richards Bay as confidence and planning drive their push

AmaZulu will visit Richards Bay at Richards Bay Stadium on Friday night (7.30pm kick-off) high on confidence, but they know they cannot read too much into their past home victory.

Usuthu are finally looking like the Top-Four team that club president Sandile Zungu envisaged when he took over a few years ago, having only tasted that success once during his reign under coach Benni McCarthy a few seasons back.

Usuthu are currently fifth on the log with 22 points, three behind second-placed Orlando Pirates, who are neck and neck with champions and log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Should they win the KZN derby against Richards Bay, they could climb to third on the standings, as the two teams above them — Sekhukhune United and Kaizer Chiefs — will not be involved in domestic football this week.

However, that is easier said than done. While their confidence is boosted following their 2-0 win over Siwelele at Moses Mabhida Stadium last Saturday, they know they must still apply themselves correctly against Richards Bay, especially given the rivalry between the two teams.

“We have to take the confidence that we got in the last game into the derby game, although we have to forget about the win because it’s now in the past,” said goalkeeper Darren Johnson ahead of the clash.

“It’s a very important game. There are bragging rights up for grabs, so I think the boys are prepared and ready for the derby.”

Having kept three clean sheets in three wins from four games, Johnson and his defensive unit have been rock-solid. But given the threat Richards Bay will pose, Johnson explained why they’ll be more than capable of keeping their strikers at bay.

“We’ve been doing our analysis as a team on them, and we’ve picked up some key information regarding Richards Bay,” Johnson said. “They are tricky in the front line and very speedy as well.

“But be that as it may, I think the boys and I are prepared for anything they’ll throw at us.”

It will be important for Usuthu to continue their strong form against the Natal Rich Boyz, as they will face another derby against Golden Arrows in their follow-up matches. Two clashes that coach Arthur Zwane feels will require the team to be at their best, even after winning previous meetings.

“There are no easy games in the PSL,” Zwane added. “What happened previously might not be the same — not that I don’t want to win — but the players also know that ‘we can’t afford to lose to them again.’

“So that simply means it won’t be a walk in the park. We have to dig deep and bring our A-game to get maximum points at Richards Bay. Both games will be tough, so we have to plan properly and see how it goes.”

Proper planning will go a long way in producing great spectacles in KZN derbies, something Zwane feels is the missing piece in getting locals to support their teams, unlike when the big clubs — Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns — are in town.

“The only time we can command support from the province is when we start winning and playing attractive football,” Zwane said. “When you want to showcase the product to people, you must be able to entice them.

“If we continue blowing hot and cold, then people won’t be interested in our football. The province has also lost a lot of players from the development ranks to the Gauteng clubs.”