Staff Reporter.
Kaizer Chiefs will cross swords with AmaZulu during the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Chiefs reached this stage of the tournament after defeating Stellenbosch FC 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in a quarterfinal match on 28 September.
Since then, Amakhosi are enjoying a four-match unbeaten run in the DStv Premiership and the 15-time MTN8 champions will be targeting nothing but a victory in this first-leg encounter.
Chiefs’ current unbeaten run includes a 0-0 draw against AmaZulu at the FNB Stadium on 3 September and head coach Arthur Zwane made it known that his side will come out with all guns blazing in their cup meeting.
“The game we played against them was a draw, now we have to come out with all guns blazing and make sure that we get a goal,” Zwane said.
“We don’t know how they are going to approach the game, whether they will sit back and play a tactical game or whether they will come at us. We must be ready for any approach that they bring on the day.
“Games are the same, but this one can push us to extra-time or penalties if we do not score goals. We have one thing in mind, we can only win if we score goals and defend well. It’s not going to come on a silver platter, we are going to have to grind and work for the result.”
Meanwhile, AmaZulu booked their spot in the semifinals after claiming a 2-1 win over Cape Town City away in a quarterfinal encounter after extra-time on 27 September.
It remains Usuthu’s last win as they are currently enduring a three-match winless run in the DStv Premiership and they are hoping to grab an important away win against Amakhosi.
Brandon Truter, the AmaZulu head coach, has pointed out that his side will be looking to score in Johannesburg and take a crucial away goal into their second-leg clash which is set to be played on 23 October.
“We want to come away with an advantage in the first leg and I’m saying an advantage with an away goal,” Truter said.
“But we are conceding goals cheaply at the moment and a clean sheet will be nice. Not shutting the backdoor or anything like that, but come here with an advantage and all to play for at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“With our fans behind us, I know we can count on them and the AmaZulu faithful are loud, they are behind us, they support us. And you know it will give extra motivation to the guys.”
Elsewhere Orlando Pirates will be looking to make home advantage count when they welcome Mamelodi Sundowns to the Orlando Stadium for the first leg of their MTN8 semifinal tie on Saturday afternoon. Kick-off is at 3.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).