Kaizer Chiefs vs AmaZulu – our predictions

Phakaaathi’s Jonty Mark and Khaya Ndubane give their views on who will win this much-anticipated clash, and why.

Why Chiefs will win (Khaya Ndubane, Online Content Manager)

Prior to losing to Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates, Chiefs had not tasted a loss in 2018. With the league title still up for grabs, Steve Komphela’s side will be looking to bounce back to winning ways and close the gap on log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Chiefs have dominated this fixture over the years, in fact they have suffered one loss in the last 21 matches against Usuthu. They have won 15, drew six in the process.

Usuthu last beat Chiefs over 10 years ago and Amakhosi have had it easy with AmaZulu since then and I see that dominance continuing tonight.

AmaZulu had to go through penalties in order to advance to the next round of the Nedbank Cup against a lowly Mthatha Bucks outfit. That was after the teams were tied to a 2-2 draw after extra time.

Prediction: Kaizer Chiefs 2 AmaZulu 0

Why AmaZulu will win (Jonty Mark, Phakaaathi Editor)

Coming up with a good reason why AmaZulu will beat Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday is, admittedly, not the easiest of tasks.

Usuthu have not beaten Amakhosi in any competition since March 2007, when Lucky Mzizi, who happened to be on loan at AmaZulu from Chiefs, scored both goals in a 2-1 win at Olympia Park in Rustenburg.

Since then, the statistics read 14 wins for Chiefs and a big zero for AmaZulu. Cavin Cavin Johnson’s side are also struggling in this season’s Absa Premiership, heading into this weekend just 3 points ahead of 15th placed Ajax Cape Town, while in their most recent fixture they were dumped out of the Nedbank Cup at home to Ubuntu Cape Town.
AmaZulu did, however, manage a creditable goalless draw at home to Chiefs in November, a result that could have been even better if Itumeleng Khune had not saved a penalty from Rhulani Manzini.

Chiefs, meanwhile, are in a situation in the title race where only victories will do, and I expect this to leave them far more open than usual on Saturday, as they were in losing the Soweto derby to Orlando Pirates in their last match.

Mabhuti Khenyeza rolled back the years for AmaZulu with a brilliant header in defeat against Ubuntu and I am going to back this former Kaizer Chiefs striker to net the winner on Saturday, and give AmaZulu their first win since Mzizi’s double just over 11 years ago.

Prediction: Kaizer Chiefs 0 AmaZulu 1