Arthur Zwane warns AmaZulu ahead of Sundowns clash

AmaZulu FC coach Arthur Zwane has warned his team against expecting an easy game against Mamelodi Sundowns in the elite league of South Africa on Tuesday evening.

The former Kaizer Chiefs manager said the Betway Premiership defending champions cannot be judged based on their one-all draw with Chippa United last Saturday.

Zwane said this ahead of the meeting with the Betway Premiership landlords right in their Loftus Versfeld Stadium at 7:30pm CAT.

“We can’t think because they (Sundowns) drew their first game that perhaps it’s going to be an easier game,” Zwane told AmaZulu FC media.

“It’s going to be a very difficult season for everyone. There will be fewer underdogs this season because if you look at our previous games against Sundowns, we lost due to their individual brilliance.”

The coach added: “The likes of Lucas Ribeiro and Peter Shalulile stood out for them in games against us — they made the difference. So, this is why I say it’s going to be difficult for everyone.”

Having defeated rookies Orbit College FC 1-0 over the weekend, Usuthu are eyeing back-to-back Betway Premiership victories.

AmaZulu started the season with a warm up against Stellenbosch in an MTN8 quarterfinal match they lost 3-2 on August 3 before bouncing back to beat the newcomers.

On the other hand, Sundowns started the Betway Premiership season with a draw against Chippa on Saturday to extend their unbeaten run to three games across all competitions.

Ahead of the match, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso urged his players to step up their game.

“We have to fight for the next one [against AmaZulu], now we have to think about the next one, look at this match, see the mistake and try to build the team. A lot to go with this team until we finish let’s see what will happen,” Cardoso said.

Defender Thapelo Morena is a doubt for Sundowns due to an injury just like goalkeeper Richard Ofori for AmaZulu.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result; Scorers

2020/21 Sundowns 4-3 AmaZulu: Zwane 3, Shalulile; Majoro, Memela, Khumalo
2020/21 AmaZulu 0-0 Sundowns
2021/22 Sundowns 1-0 AmaZulu: Zwane (pen)
2021/22 AmaZulu 1-0 Sundowns: Mulenga
2022/23 Sundowns 1-0 AmaZulu: Allende
2022/23 AmaZulu 2-2 Sundowns: Mphalele, Dion; Zungu, Shalulile
2023/24 AmaZulu 0-1 Sundowns: Ribeiro (pen)
2023/24 Sundowns 3-0 AmaZulu: Ribeiro 3
2024/25 AmaZulu 0-1 Sundowns: Rayners
2024/25 Sundowns 2-0 AmaZulu: Shalulile, Sales.