Mcelwa Nchabeleng
Mcelwa Nchabeleng
The KwaZulu-Natal Absa Premiership derby between Thanda Royal Zulu and AmaZulu in Hammersdale this afternoon could provide one of the province's two strugglers with their first win of 2009.
This rescheduled fixture takes place at Mpumalanga Stadium from 3.30pm.
Both teams have failed to win or draw this year and they will need no further motivation today. Maximum points are crucial in fight to move away from the drop zone.
While both teams have failed to win in the second round, Usuthu look firm favourites to tame Amabhubesi who are still smarting from an embarrassing 6-1 pasting by basement club Bloemfontein Celtic in their last outing.
This score margin confirmed Amabhubesi's benevolence at the back and the management has not been chuffed with the way they have been conceding goals.
This forced them to add Phil Evans from Bidvest Wits to their enclosure, hoping for some solidity in this department.
Usuthu, on the other hand, showed poise against Mamelodi Sundowns in their last match, but they lost concentration and allowed the wealthy Chloorkop side to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with stoppage-time winners from Surprise Moriri and Diyo Sibisi.
This after Dumisani Ngwenya had put them ahead in the 73rd minute. Ngwenya, inspired by his call-up for Bafana Bafana's friendly against Zambia last week, is their trump card today.
Amabhubesi coach Roger Palmgren will be hoping that Nkosinathi Nhleko, who scored the consolation goal against Celtic, finds the net again.
Thanda, Usuthu chase first win of 2009
Mcelwa Nchabeleng
Mcelwa Nchabeleng
The KwaZulu-Natal Absa Premiership derby between Thanda Royal Zulu and AmaZulu in Hammersdale this afternoon could provide one of the province's two strugglers with their first win of 2009.
This rescheduled fixture takes place at Mpumalanga Stadium from 3.30pm.
Both teams have failed to win or draw this year and they will need no further motivation today. Maximum points are crucial in fight to move away from the drop zone.
While both teams have failed to win in the second round, Usuthu look firm favourites to tame Amabhubesi who are still smarting from an embarrassing 6-1 pasting by basement club Bloemfontein Celtic in their last outing.
This score margin confirmed Amabhubesi's benevolence at the back and the management has not been chuffed with the way they have been conceding goals.
This forced them to add Phil Evans from Bidvest Wits to their enclosure, hoping for some solidity in this department.
Usuthu, on the other hand, showed poise against Mamelodi Sundowns in their last match, but they lost concentration and allowed the wealthy Chloorkop side to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with stoppage-time winners from Surprise Moriri and Diyo Sibisi.
This after Dumisani Ngwenya had put them ahead in the 73rd minute. Ngwenya, inspired by his call-up for Bafana Bafana's friendly against Zambia last week, is their trump card today.
Amabhubesi coach Roger Palmgren will be hoping that Nkosinathi Nhleko, who scored the consolation goal against Celtic, finds the net again.