Kaizer Chiefs eager to regain league ascendancy against AmaZulu

Kaizer Chiefs will be chasing a return to winning ways when they welcome AmaZulu to FNB Stadium on Wednesday at 7.30pm in a Betway Premiership clash with plenty riding on it for both sides.

Amakhosi had started the campaign brightly with a five-match unbeaten run that included four wins and a draw against champions Mamelodi Sundowns. 

But a shock defeat to Sekhukhune United and a frustrating draw with Marumo Gallants has checked their early momentum and left interim coach Ben Khalil Youssef calling for a response.

Speaking ahead of the encounter, Youssef admitted that AmaZulu will pose a stern test.

“I think AmaZulu is one of the best teams in the league and they play very good football with structure and DNA,” Youssef said. 

“We have a plan for the game and I think we don’t have any injured players returning so we have the same squad that played the last game. But we might also see Ethan (Chislett) in this game as well, and we have to consider managing the physical load with the next game in mind.”

The interim boss stressed the importance of turning their form around quickly. 

“We know we started well but then we drew and then lost against Sekhukhune, so now we have to come back and win this game and finish this period strong.”

Chiefs currently sit in fifth place on the log, with their ambitions of climbing back towards the summit needing a boost against Usuthu. 

The Soweto giants are juggling domestic duties with continental commitments, making squad rotation a balancing act for Youssef in the weeks to come.

AmaZulu, meanwhile, have had a mixed start to their own campaign under the guidance of Arthur Zwane. 

The former Chiefs legend, who returned to management with Usuthu, has steered them to ninth place after seven games, collecting three wins, two draws and two losses. 

Their form has been inconsistent, but with attacking talent in their ranks, they will fancy their chances of testing Chiefs’ defensive resilience at FNB.

The Durban outfit will come into the clash on the back of a disappointing loss to TS Galaxy, which halted their momentum, but Zwane will know that a positive result against his former club could ignite their campaign.

For both teams, Wednesday’s clash comes at a crucial point of the season, just days before the start of the Carling Knockout Cup. 

Chiefs will want to build confidence before that tournament begins, while AmaZulu will be desperate to prove they can compete with the league’s elite away from home.

The fixture also offers an intriguing subplot, with Zwane’s history at Naturena adding an extra layer of narrative to an already high-stakes encounter. 

Chiefs fans will be eager to see how their side responds to recent setbacks, while AmaZulu supporters will hope their team can deliver a statement performance in Soweto.

With both sides looking to rediscover consistency, this promises to be a fiercely contested battle under the FNB Stadium lights.