The Joburg Blog - Day Two January 20, 2009 Team manager James Dlamini reports for us from the training camp in Johannesburg...

"We have played against Bidvest Wits, and am happy with the perfomance of the boys.

Prior to the encounter with the 'Students' we beat Maritzburg United 4-1 in another practice match over the weekend. Being the first match since the long drive from Durban D we need to able to withstand anything and the camp is planned just for this purpose.

Against United we played well but showed some signs of strain after some rigorous running having come from the break.

Playing Bidvest was good for us. Both teams played well even though we lost, we gave each other a good practise match. We had a few chances of our own which should have converted.

Warren Bishop is clearly delighted to be in his hometown judging by his comments and general cheerfulness in the camp.

Just like me, he is however concerned that the Bafana squad in Durban to play Swaziland at Chatsworth this afternoon and Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida on the weekend will have no 'Usuthu' representative.

It helps when you are doing well in the league, some other players are that lucky. You just have to be in the right place at the right time, he told me .

I was a little disappointed that Ayanda Dlamini was not given a chance but I think also Parreira said there is still a chance for others to make it.

Ayanda and Marc van Heerden have been consistent. If the guys work hard hopefully they would be given a chance and Dumisani Ngwenya too if he was to find his form again. Then perhaps AmaZulu would have representation in the team to play in the World Cup.

Today we play against Kaizer Chiefs in Day Three at Marks Park (next to Bidvest Stadium, Millpark)."

James Dlamini
AmaZulu Team Manager

Please note: The Kaizer Chiefs friendly was cancelled due to rainfall that damaged the pitch beyond playable condition. So for today instead of playing the match the team will be doing gym work at Virgin active.