AmaZulu midfielder Ben Motshwari insists that the magnitude of Kaizer Chiefs is enough motivation to see Usuthu come out victorious in their upcoming Betway Premiership clash next Wednesday.

Boasting a fresh start to the new season, with new management and an improved squad, Amakhosi started their new campaign with a crucial 2-1 victory away to Marrumo Gallants last Saturday. 

On the other end, Usuthu are looking to bounce back from their last-minute defeat to Polokwane City when they take on a motivated Chiefs next Wednesday at Moses Mabhida Stadium. 

Having analyzed Chiefs latest performance, the Usuthu midfielder anticipates a grueling encounter against the Soweto giants who have seemingly demonstrated a rather different attitude under the new leadership of coach Nasradine Nabi. 

“Knowing them and seeing how they played their previous game, I believe it’s gonna be a fast-paced game and physical game, especially in their midfield. The players that they have now, it’s going to be a physical game but I believe also we will be prepared,” asserted Motshwari. 

Chiefs have only managed to win a single of their last five encounters against AmaZulu in all competitions with the highest score in those games being a 4-0 home victory for Usuthu in January 2023. 

Having not lost to Chiefs in their last three home games, the 33-year-old further asserted that Usuthu will not by any means allow Chiefs to dictate terms on the field, especially as the visiting team.

“We’re not gonna just sit back and let them bully us especially because we’re going to be in our home stadium you know. So I believe it’s going to be an interesting match and we are ready for them,” said the former Pirates player. 

With a guaranteed full house on the stands and high anticipation for the game on the streets and online platforms, it usually comes as natural motivation for players to put their best foot forward. 

With home fans being generally outnumbered when playing against the big three teams in Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns, the former Bidvest Wits star maintained that a big crowd alone is a good confidence booster despite the disparity in-home support. 

“Playing against teams like Chiefs, Pirates, and Sundowns, I believe our coach (Franco Martin) does not have to motivate us. It’s always a challenge playing against a big club but in terms of the fans and the numbers, them coming to the stadium of course it’s a huge confidence booster amongst us as players,” maintained Motshwari. 

Unlike other teams who prepare for weekend fixtures, the two teams will enjoy a full week of preparations before their highly anticipated encounter on Wednesday, with Usuthu looking to grab their first points of the season.