THANDA Royal Zulu chief executive Peter Koutroulis is confident his charges will avenge the 2-0 drubbing handed to them by African Warriors in the first round.

The two teams meet in a National First Division Coastal Stream clash at Richards Bay Stadium tomorrow, with kickoff at 3.30pm.

Goal difference separates the two clubs, who have both collected 10 points from seven matches. Warriors are in fourth place while Royal Zulu are fifth.

Both clubs are coached by veteran campaigners in the NFD - Mlungisi "Professor" Ngubane (Royal Zulu) and Ashwin Sutton (Warriors).

Koutroulis said they could not afford to lose a second match in a row at home after they were beaten 1-0 by log leaders Bay United last weekend.

Warriors played to a 1-all draw with FC Cape Town last weekend.

"We failed to convert chances (against United). The technical team have worked hard on the finishing, hence we are confident that we will beat Warriors," Koutroulis said.

Warriors boss Jabu "Little Corporal" Khumalo said they had prepared well but were concerned that imports Swadick Sanudi, Jimmy Zakazaka and Mbemba Syalla will not be available due to a problem with their work permits.

"But we remain confident that the other players will be equal to the task," Khumalo said yesterday.

Coastal Stream fixtures for the weekend are:

TOMORROW

Richards Bay: Royal Zulu vs Warriors (3.30pm); Buffalo City: Blackburn Rovers vs Bay United (3.30pm).

SUNDAY

Wynberg: Hanover Park vs Nathi Lions (3.30pm); Goble Park: Carara Kicks vs FC Cape Town (3.30pm).