Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

The battle of the two Zulus continues tomorrow in Durban's Kings Park rugby stadium when Thanda Royal Zulu and AmaZulu lock horns in what promises to be a cracker of a match.

The two sides could not have met at a better time, since they seem to have regrouped and are picking up crucial points.

Amabhubesi returned with a valuable point from the lion's den against Free State Stars on Saturday, while Usuthu collected maximum points against struggling Black Leopards. But who will prevail tomorrow night?

Thabani Gumede, Royal's team manager, said: "There's no two ways about it, we are collecting maximum points on Wednesday [tomorrow]. Our players know pretty well what is expected of them.

"After our bad results, we held a meeting with them at which we clearly explained what was expected of them and they promised to deliver and by the looks of things they are going to deliver."

He said the Royal plane is now cruising in the air and will only land at the end of May.

"I feel sorry for those who failed to make use of the opportunity to collect points while we were still preparing to move, and now we are in a mean mood."

Gumede said they wanted to create some space between them and the two teams below them on the log before declaring a clean bill of health.

Philani Mabaso, Usuthu's public relations officer, said they had turned the corner on Saturday and were not looking back.

"Our win on Saturday has been a huge morale booster. The atmosphere is buzzing, players are now confident and we will not allow Thanda to dent our spirits," said Mabaso.

"Unfortunately, we need the three points more than they do because we want to be in the top eight at the end of the season. We have to win on Wednesday, and a loss is not even on our minds,"

Mabaso said Litha Ngxabi, Issah Mohammed-Awal and Dumisani Ngwenya are doubtful, though Ngxabi will undergo a late fitness test.

But he was optimistic about the return of Thabo Mabaso, who has served his one-month suspension.