As AmaZulu FC gear up to face defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, Usuthu head coach Arthur Zwane has made a strong declaration about the 2025/26 season.
The KZN side had a successful start, accumulating maximum points after a 1-0 victory over the Betway Premiership newbies Orbit College FC on Saturday at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu.
Looking to continue with their momentum, Usuthu face a major test against the Brazilians on Tuesday, 12 August at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
And Sundowns, uncharacteristically, dropped points in their first match, settling for a 1-1 draw against Chippa United on Sunday away from home.
Zwane remains cautious ahead of a trip to the country’s capital, refusing to believe the Tshwane giants’ recent draw makes them easier opponents.
However, Zwane declared that this season will be difficult for all 16 teams in the PSL as there are no underdogs with all clubs seemingly wanting to compete.
ZWANE SAYS THEY WON’T BE SWAYED BY SUNDOWNS’ PREVIOUS RESULT
“I think it doesn’t make any difference [the way Sundowns started],” said Zwane. “I won’t talk a lot about them because I haven’t watched their [repeat] game, Chippa United. It will be easy when I’ve watched.
“Then we will plan accordingly from tonight [Saturday] with the coaches. So, we will have to prepare very well because the turnaround time is very short.
“We won’t say now because Sundowns played a draw, it’s going to be easy. What I know is that this season, there are no underdogs; it will be very, very difficult.
“When you look at games that we played previously against Sundowns, we were hurt by individual brilliance, your Peter Shalulile and Lucas Ribeiro.
“First round and second last season, those were two players who made a huge difference. So, that’s why I’m saying it will be difficult for everyone.
“Yes, they have quality, we have so much respect for them. But we cannot judge them based on their result against Chippa. It’s going to be a different ball game when they play us.”
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