AmaZulu will look to continue their three-match unbeaten run in the DStv Premiership when they travel to the Dobsonville Stadium to face Swallows FC on Friday evening.
Swallows are currently on a two-match unbeaten run after playing out to a goalless draw against Maritzburg United on Friday evening.
Usuthu will look to continue their impressive start to the campaign after they came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Cape Town City at the Moses Mabhida Stadium through goals from Augustine Chidi Kwem and Gabadinho Mhango.
BETTING ODDS – SWALLOWS vs AMAZUU
“At times it was very difficult for me to pass the message to the players on the pitch, but I think I’ve managed to get one or two players to come on the line so I can give them the message,” Swallows Player/Coach Musa Nyatama said.
“I must say, I’m proud of the players for taking on the instruction, the respect they gave me.”
Meanwhile, AmaZulu coach Brandon Truter said: At one moment, we tried to play football and wanted to dominate the ball. Against a team led by Gavin Hunt, there will always be aggression. We made it easier for their back three to defend and did not stretch them at all. We started off very slow and that kept them in the game.
“Once we went down and conceded, we changed things and the formation. The front three that finished the game (Chidi Kwem, Mhango and Ntuli) are fighters and made it difficult for their defenders. We also changed the formation to deal with their direct play and crosses.
“That is why we brought on a tall centre-back like Veluyeke Zulu because he could make things difficult for them. We managed to sneak a victory at the end. Our guys showed plenty of fight. I can’t fault anyone.
“This is a team that can fight as well. It was a tough ask to come back after conceding against a Hunt team.”
In head-to-head stats between the two teams, AmaZulu has the flight advantage over Swallows after they managed to collect four points out of a possible six in the two-legged fixture last season, which saw them play out to a goalless draw in the first leg before Usuthu clinched a narrow 1-0 win in the return leg.
Swallows occupy eighth place on the log with four points after one win, one draw and one defeat in their first three matches, while Usuthu are placed second in the league standings with seven points after claiming two wins and one draw in three matches.
Musa Nyatama will continue to be without first-choice goalkeeper Virgil Vries, who remains sidelined through injury, while Brandon Truter’s side has no injuries or suspension on the cards.
After failing to find the back of the net in his previous appearances for Swallows, Siboniso Lungelo Mtshali will be eyeing a goal against Usuthu after scoring one goal in his last three matches.
Gabadinho Mhango has been in some form since joining AmaZulu from Orlando Pirates after he scored two goals in his last two appearances against SuperSport United and Cape Town City.
Swallows FC Form This Season:
LWD
AmaZulu Form This Season:
DWW