AmaZulu preparing a different strategy for Gallants

NUMBERS. That’s where the game plan lies for AmaZulu FC as they plan the invasion of Bloemfontein’s Dr Molemela Stadium where Marumo Gallants will be waiting for the Nedbank Cup round of 16 battle.

The battle of Bloemfontein will kick-off at 3pm on Saturday afternoon.

Numbers are looking good for Usuthu. Besides collecting seven points in the last three league games, they are also finding the back of the net as they have scored 11 goals in the last four in all competitions.

Even the new edition Elmo Kambindu, who joined the team from Chippa United in January, has managed to open his account.

But even with that, Vilakazi admits there is clearly still room for improvement.

“We are happy with 11 goals but not entirely. If you check the chances we create that need converting, we are still struggling a bit,” said Usuthu co-coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi ahead of their trip.

“If you look at the game against Marumo (they beat the Free State side 2-0 last week), we only scored two instead of scoring five or six goals. So I guess it’s still a work in progress in terms of making sure we fine tune our finishing in front of goals.”

Talking about facing Gallants for a second time in less than 10 days, Vilakazi said:

“It is different playing a team in the first round and then again in the second round because there are games in between,” said Vilakazi.

“But if you are playing a team this week and then again next week, it is never easy, so we will have to dig deep as a team.

“We will plan and watch some videos and stuff and come up with a strategy that should work for us. We are definitely going to have to come up with something they are not expecting.”

Consistency is not a word synonymous with Premiership sides but that will be on top of the agenda AmaZulu on Saturday.

“What is missing from our team is consistency; we need to ensure we win two or four games in a row. But I think we did well as a team in the last four games collecting seven points,” said Vilakazi.

“We are obviously taking the Nedbank Cup seriously because it is a one stone for two birds.

“You compete for a cup that comes with a chance to go to Africa (in the Caf Confederation Cup) and obviously it is an achievement for the club. So that is why we are planning to go as far as possible.”

Even though Usuthu has played more at home so far this year, Vilakazi is still counting on the team’s often good away record.

“We are also going to rely on that (playing away) because our records show that we do well when we are playing away,” said the coach.

“However we cannot rely only on that. We still have to work hard because at the end of the day we want to win and so, we have to grind for results.

“The confidence that we have within the team shows that everyone wants to participate, they want to win so we will go there for a kill.”

In the last 32 AmaZulu won 5-1 against a lower division side at home. There is no doubt that Gallants will bring a different game altogether.