AmaZulu midfielder George ‘Mido’ Maluleka hopes Usuthu can emulate Kaizer Chiefs by beating Orlando Pirates in Saturday’s MTN8 final.
Maluleka said Pirates’ 1-0 loss to Chiefs in last Saturday’s DStv Premiership encounter showed that the Buccaneers are not invincible.
“Definitely, we will try to exploit their weakness. However, it will also depend on the coach’s plans,” Maluleka told the media.
The midfielder said AmaZulu camp watched proceedings intently, as Yusuf Maart’s long-range scorcher for Chiefs floored Pirates at FNB Stadium.
However, the former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder said history would not be a decisive factor in the final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“I do not want to talk about previous results. It is very important for us to apply ourselves very well. We just need to focus,” he said.
Maluleka is among Usuthu’s experienced players with the MTN8-winning experience. He believes there are also other players capable of driving Usuthu to victory.
“There are many experienced players in the team such as Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Bonginkosi Ntuli, Lehlohonolo Majoro and Gabadinho Mhango. We must just enjoy the moment and step up to the plate,” he said.
The former Ajax Cape Town and Chiefs star was part of Sundowns squad that beat Cape Town City last season to win the cup.
Mido said AmaZulu need to build on their league win over Stellenbosch going into the final.
“It is a big occasion for us. Beating Stellenbosch was a huge morale-booster for the guys. Obviously, there is more planning ahead of the week,” Maluleka said.
AmaZulu coach Romain Folz fired first warning shots at Pirates ahead of the final in Durban.
“…just bring whoever you want and we will give our best whether it’s Pirates or who happen to play in the final. We will give our best,” he said.
Folz hopes to end the club’s trophy-drought stretching over three decades. The last time Usuthu won a competitive silverware was back in 1992 when they lifted the Coca-Cola Cup.
Usuthu progressed to the final after playing out to a goalless draw against Chiefs the previous Sunday.
The first leg at FNB Stadium a fortnight ago had ended in a one-all stalemate with Mhango drawing first blood for Amazulu.
On another hand, the Bucs outclassed Sundowns 3-0 in the second leg to build on the goalless stalemate in the first leg.
