Royal AM must ‘use the space’ against AmaZulu says John Maduka

As the countdown begins to the highly anticipated KwaZulu-Natal derby on Thursday, Royal AM are determined to shake off a season plagued by uncertainty and return to winning ways.

The upcoming clash against AmaZulu promises to be a battle that not only stirs local pride, but also has significant implications for the Premiership standings.

Set to take place at the King Zwelithini Stadium (7.30pm kick-off), both teams are hungry for points, aiming to inch closer to the coveted top half of the league table.

Currently positioned 12th, Royal AM have managed to secure just one victory in their nine league outings this season, with five draws and three defeats.

This record highlights the urgent need for a turnaround as the season approaches a pivotal juncture.

Head coach John Maduka is acutely aware of the challenges his side face, particularly following an intense encounter against Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs.

In that match, which ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw on November 30, Royal AM showcased commendable resilience as they clawed their way back from two goals down.

These qualities will be critical as they prepare to meet AmaZulu in what is expected to be an electrifying derby that is rich with recent historical rivalry and fanfare.

With nearly two weeks to regroup, Maduka hopes to rejuvenate his squad both physically and mentally.

Speaking ahead of this encounter, the Royal AM mentor expressed his desire to see his team grab just their second win of the season.

“We know the importance of this game. We know it’s not going to be an easy game against AmaZulu. It’s a derby, and you know the nature of the derby,” he said.

“We need points. We’ve only had one win so far, so it’s very important for us to change that and try to get those points, so we can move up the table.”

Maduka also explained how the pitch at King Zwelithini Stadium in uMlazi would facilitate a free-flowing game between these two sides.

“The pitch will be okay. These are two teams that like playing the ball on the ground, and this pitch allows us to do that. Yes, it might not be too big, but both teams can definitely use the space available,” he said.

AmaZulu will be no pushover, with co-coaches Arthur Zwane and Vusumuzi Vilakazi ushering in a new era for the club.

Usuthu’s ambition to solidify their standing in the league adds an additional layer of complexity to what already shapes up to be a fiercely contested clash.

With both teams aiming to establish themselves within the top half of the table, the stakes have never been higher.

As excitement builds around this derby, fans will undoubtedly be poised for a showdown that not only exemplifies the spirit of KZN football, but also serves as a crucial turning point for Royal AM.