Kaizer Chiefs vs AmaZulu – our predictions
It's the Telkom Knockout last-16 this weekend, with the pick of the ties being the Kaizer Chiefs versus AmaZulu in Durban this evening.
Gustavo Paez of Kaizer Chiefs (Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix)
Phakaaathi’s Jonty Mark and Khaya Ndubane give their views on who will triumph on the day, and why.
Why AmaZulu will win (Jonty Mark, Phakaaathi Editor)
It must have been a happy week of training at AmaZulu, in the wake of Usuthu’s stunning Absa Premiership victory at Mamelodi Sundowns. Now Cavin Johnson’s side have a chance to cause another upset, as they take on Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday evening in the Telkom Knockout last 16 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. This is an away game for AmaZulu, but they should feel right at home in their own province, with Amakhosi again using Durban as a home-away-from-home. Chiefs will have much of the support, as usual, but it can only help the KwaZulu-Natal side that they have not had anywhere to travel for this game. This is just one of the reasons I have a sneaky feeling AmaZulu will stun Chiefs on Saturday. Veteran strikers Siyabonga Nomvethe and Mabhudi Khenyeza proved that age is just a number against Masandawana and will no doubt look to roll back the years again against the likes of Eric Mathoho at the Moses Mabhida. Johnson’s side have tended to turn it on against the big boys this season, also smashing Bidvest Wits 3-0 in a league game at the King Zwelithini on September 30. I expect them to rise to the occasion again and nick a 1-0 win over Chiefs.
Prediction: Kaizer Chiefs 0 AmaZulu 1
Why Chiefs will win (Khaya Ndubane, Online Content Manager)
AmaZulu might have caused an upset last week by beating Mamelodi Sundowns away, but I expect Kaizer Chiefs to continue their dominance over Usuthu this evening. AmaZulu have only beaten Chiefs once in the PSL era and I expect their poor record over Amakhosi to continue. Moses Mabhida Stadium is Chiefs’ alternative home venue and they have always done well in this stadium. The Usuthu defence has been licking goals having conceded 12 goals in eight league matches, that’s just over a goal a match. I expect Bernard Parker and Gustavo Paez to nick in a goal or two in this match as Amakhosi march to the quarterfinals of this competition with a comfortable 2-0 win. Oh, no the veterans – Nomvethe and Khenyeza – will be nowhere to be found in this game as I expect the likes of Mathoho and Cardoso to deal with them.
Prediction: Kaizer Chiefs 2 AmaZulu 0
