Posted on February 17, 2012 13:20
The first-round’s upsetting 1-0 slipup against Steve Khompela’s Free State Stars at home will be enough fuel to motivate AmaZulu players against Ea Lla Koto at the Charles Mopeli Stadium on Saturday.
This is according to the club’s Public Relations Officer, Philani Mabaso.
The match scheduled to kick-off at 15h30 comes on the back of another eye-opener on Wednesday where Usuthu went down 1-0 against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Like any warrior in a battle, when knocked down he gets up again and hits even harder the second time around and the green and white warriors of KZN are looking to do just that come Saturday.
“This is a completely different fixture now. We are aware that it’s a tough call to beat Stars in their own background. Last season we managed a point, and we will use that and the fact that they’ve got one past us in the first round to motivate ourselves,” said Mabaso.
While the KZN side has had limited luck at home, they have fared well in away assignments, winning three of their fixtures towards the end of the first round.
However, it should be noted that Free State Stars, on the other hand, appear to have been invincible at home and come from a comforting 1-1 away result against Supersport United.
“We need to redeem ourselves from the midweek disappointment. Although we did play well we didn’t take our chances, it’s a lesson the team had to learn. The coach has had ample time to work on the boys, and now it’s important that they focus on getting the vital points if we’re to make a strong case for a top 8 finish,” said the club’s mouthpiece.
Ea Lla Koto are placed eighth on the Absa Premiership log with 25 points from 16 matches while AmaZulu lie on 10th position with 20 points.
In head-to-head stats, Stars and AmaZulu have met in 40 league matches since 1986. The home side has recorded 16 wins compared to 14 for the visitors, and there have been 10 draws between the two sides.
Left-back Marc van Heerden remains out with a fractured bone on the left foot for AmaZulu.
The Durban side are placed 10th on the Absa Premiership log with 20 points from 16 matches.