AmaZulu FC head coach Pablo Franco Martin has made a bold claim about his side ahead of the KZN Derby against relegation-threatened Richards Bay FC.
The match will be staged at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Tuesday, 30 April at 7:30 pm.
It’s the second-last provincial derby for Usuthu who will host Golden Arrows on the last day of the season.
The Natal Rich Boyz will seek redemption following an away loss to Cape Town Spurs, while Martin’s men aim for a second successive victory after they bounced back to winning ways, beating Chippa United in their last outing.
The Spanish coach says they won’t do favours for their fellow KZN rivals, who are fighting a relegation battle at the bottom of the DStv Premiership.
Meanwhile, having not lost the provincial derby this season, he feels they have conquered KZN and remain the best team in the province.
PABLO FRANCO MARTIN – WE ARE THE BEST TEAM IN KZN
“My friend, we are here to favour ourselves, not to favour anyone else,” he said.
“I think the motivation is there without the coach saying anything. If you remember, last season, I think [AmaZulu] played eight KZN derbies, if I’m not mistaken, and it was four draws and four losses.
“So far this season, we have played…I don’t even remember how many. But we have won most of them, I think four and we drew two.
“So, right now today, we are the best team in KwaZulu-Natal in that mini-league. And this is something that is important for the club, the president and the fans and us as coaches and players.
“I think it’s a matter of pride and finishing that mini-league on top, and I think this is something that hasn’t happened in a long time. So, it’s one of those parts of small history that we are writing – Carling Cup, Nedbank Cup, it’s not the huge page that we want to write one day in the future.
“But I think there are steps to take us into consideration for the future, achieving greater things. But for me to finish on top in KwaZulu-Natal and be dominant here is the first step to go for some other things.”
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