Zwane Aims for Top-Four Finish to Secure Vital Home Quarter-Final in MTN8

AmaZulu manager Arthur Zwane is focused on securing a top-four position in the Betway Premiership to ensure Usuthu a significant home draw in next season’s MTN8 quarter-finals.

Usuthu is set to contend with Sekhukhune United for the prized fourth spot as they prepare to face their city rivals, Durban City, at Chatsworth Stadium this Saturday.

The coastal team currently holds fourth place with 44 points from 29 matches, leading Sekhukhune United by a narrow one point.

Simultaneously, Babina Noko will host Siwelele at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday.

To uphold the integrity of the competition, the league will commence all Round 30 matches at the same time, minimizing any potential tactical advantages.

Achieving a fourth-place finish would be a significant milestone for the dynamic Usuthu squad, which possesses an average player age of just 24.

Importantly, AmaZulu has not hosted an MTN8 match at home since the 2022/23 season, where they reached the final before losing to Orlando Pirates.

“We have a strong affinity for this fourth position,” remarked Zwane.

“We’ve maintained this position for quite a while now. We could have confirmed it sooner; we shouldn’t be in our current predicament, especially with how we conceded late against Golden Arrows.

Zwane expressed regret over missed chances that delayed his team’s ability to secure the position earlier.

“That match was within our grasp, and we could have managed it better. Similarly, against Orbit College, we squandered chances to win,” he stated.

“Even in the game against Kaizer Chiefs last Saturday, where we lost, we had opportunities. There have been numerous matches where we should have performed better just to secure fourth place.”

Usuthu faces a challenging final match against a determined Durban City side, which only needs a single point to secure their own top-eight status.

City, who recently clinched the Nedbank Cup to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup, have proven notoriously difficult to beat at home, suffering only one league defeat this season to champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

“We simply need to overcome this final hurdle, which is the game against Durban City, and it is going to be a tough one,” Zwane added.

“Everyone is eager to end the season positively. They are not easy opponents — they are a robust side performing very well at the moment.”