When AmaZulu host Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership match at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, they will be seeking their second league victory over their illustrious opponents in the PSL era.

AmaZulu has hosted Sundowns 19 times in the PSL era but has only managed to defeat them twice – once in the league and once in a cup competition.

Their most recent league victory against Sundowns in the PSL came in the 2021/22 season under coach Benni McCarthy, when Augustine Mulenga scored the winning goal at Kings Park Stadium on 20 December 2021.

Prior to that, Usuthu had not enjoyed home success against Sundowns in an astonishing 28 years, with their last win occurring in 1993 – before South Africa had a fully-fledged democracy – when Tsepo Ntsoane scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory.

Their other victory against Sundowns came in the Nedbank Cup semifinal at Kings Park Stadium in the 2009/10 season under Neil Tovey on penalties, although they subsequently lost to Roger de Sa’s Bidvest Wits in the Ke Yona Cup final at FNB Stadium.

Ironically, AmaZulu have enjoyed more success against Miguel Cardoso’s side away from home, recording four victories in Tshwane.

Not surprisingly, AmaZulu’s overall home record against The Brazilians is dismal, with just six wins from 38 matches. They have also drawn eight times and suffered 24 defeats.

However, Tuesday presents a significant opportunity for Usuthu to make a strong statement under co-coaches Vusi Vilakazi and Arthur Zwane.

Sundowns recently parted ways with coach Manqoba Mngqithi and appointed Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso, who has won his first two matches without conceding a goal.

Despite these victories, co-coach Vilakazi believes that Sundowns are not yet firing on all cylinders, having won both matches by narrow margins.

“I think I have watched them in both games where you can see he is still trying to do something of his own and it is not happening yet,” said Vilakazi. 

“They won both games with 1-0 and that is not the Sundowns that we know, so it is a sign that things are not yet to the standards that he wants to see them. 

“So, we are also fortunate to come against them at this moment where they are still trying to do something with the new coach. 

“So, we will definitely give our best by making sure that come end of the day we become victorious. 

“We are not going to undermine Sundowns, Sundowns has quality and they always work very hard in terms of getting results, but we will dig deep in terms of making sure that we also compete on the day.”  

Furthermore, Usuthu have been in good form in their last five matches. Aside from Orlando Pirates and Sundowns, who have both collected four wins from their five matches, Usuthu have won three.

There has been a noticeable improvement in the attacking play of Etiosa Ighodaro, Ethan Brooks, Rowan Human, and Hendrik Ekstein. However, Ighodaro, who is on loan from Sundowns, may not be eligible to play due to a clause in his loan contract.

Coach Vilakazi expressed his delight at the developing chemistry between these attacking players, which has yielded positive results for Usuthu.

“We are also impressed with our offensive play,” said Vilakazi. 

“I think the guys have been doing very well. When we come out, obviously, we get into nerves of the opposition and that is what is needed. 

“Obviously, we still fine tuning our finishing in terms of being clinical in front of goals. Looking at the game that we played, the last game Royal AM, we were supposed to score six goals, but we were not clinical. As much as we won the game, we could have scored more. 

“There is still room for improvement from that department and also defensively, we still need to work very hard in terms of making sure that we don’t concede these silly goals.”