Hunt ready for revamped AmaZulu
Hunt ready for revamped AmaZulu
Posted: 2009-08-04 06:45
The cry for Wafa Wafa will once again be booming across the country when the second edition of MTN8 competition kicks off today.
The top eight teams contesting this year’s do-or-die combat are Ajax Cape Town and Golden Arrows, both MTN sponsored teams, as well as AmaZulu, BidVest Wits, Free State Stars, Kaizer Chiefs (2008 winners), Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United.
AmaZulu and SuperSport United kick off the competition at Chatsworth Stadium today at 19h30.
SuperSport United have done extremely well recently by winning back-to-back League championship titles, but it is in Cup competitions where they must to once again show their dominance.
A potentially explosive MTN8 first round clash against a new look AmaZulu offers them the opportunity to take a giant step towards the next round.
“It is important to win League championships but we will give it our all and see where we end in the tournament,” said United coach Gavin Hunt as he prepared for the long trip to KwaZulu Natal.
United are not going to find things easy against Neil Tovey’s men, who have silverware ambitions of their own.
Similar to United, it has also been a while since AmaZulu laid their hands of a major trophy and they will be looking to cover themselves in glory.
Last season, Hunt’s men suffered the heartbreak of losing by the narrowest of margins at the hands of traditional Tshwane rivals Mamelodi Sundowns in an explosive two legged semifinal on the away goal rule.
Speaking about today’s game, Hunt said whatever happened last season is fully behind them and their focus is on their participation this time around.
Hunt said their preparations for this clash have been disrupted by injuries to key players in the form of defenders David Kannemeyer and Thabo September and midfielder Brent Carelse.
Their exclusion has not left Hunt scratching his head with frustration, as he has players of the calibre of Daine Klate, Lerato Chabangu, Morgan Gould, Hlompho Kekana and Dennis Onyango to choose from.
Without the influential trio, Hunt says they are determined to give it their all and hopefully erase the bitter memories of their away goal loss to Sundowns last season.
Meanwhile, Usuthu assistant coach Calvin Petersen says that any team taking AmaZulu lightly this season, will be foolish.
“Neil Tovey has assembled a good team with depth and everyone is hungry for success. Our pre-season preparations have gone well and all that is left now is to translate that into action tomorrow night."
Newly-appointed Usuthu skipper Pere Ariwerayi also exuded confidence when talking of meeting the League champions.
“Them winning the League title twice is history now. This is a new season and AmaZulu have undergone change. We as players have set our goals and one of them is to win one of the cups on offer. We are ready for them.”
Petersen revealed that about five key players will miss tomorrow game because of different reasons. Wingers Sthembiso Dlamini, Reagan Noble, Sibusiso Hadebe, defenders Sboniso Gumede, and Belux Kasongo will sit out tomorrow’s match.
Technical director Clive Barker has appealed to the KwaZulu-Natal fans to rally behind Usuthu.
“It’s important that we do well in this competition and win it considering the fans have been long suffering. Bring SuperSport on now!”
Striker Dumisani Ngwenya also tells KickOff.com that he will dedicate tomorrow's clash to his mom who was buried at the weekend.
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