Zwane unfazed by Sundowns stumble ahead of Loftus clash

AmaZulu head coach Arthur Zwane is refusing to be drawn into talk of an “easier” assignment when his side face Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria on Tuesday, despite the champions dropping points on the opening day.

Usuthu will travel to Loftus Versfeld in high spirits after beginning their Betway Premiership campaign with a 1-0 victory over newly-promoted Orbit College at the Princess Magogo Stadium. Zwane’s men controlled the match from start to finish but needed a first-half own goal from Sekhoane Moerane to seal the three points.

Sundowns, meanwhile, were held to a surprising 1-1 draw by Chippa United in Gqeberha — a result that raised eyebrows given the Brazilians’ dominance in recent seasons.

The defending champions are also navigating uncertainty, with key players Lucas Ribeiro, Peter Shalulile, and Khuliso Mudau all linked with possible moves before the transfer window closes.

Zwane has cautioned against reading too much into that slow start or the speculation surrounding their squad.

“We can’t think because they drew their first game that perhaps it’s going to be an easier game,” Zwane said.

“It’s going to be a very difficult season for everyone. There will be fewer underdogs this season because if you look at our previous games against Sundowns, we lost due to their individual brilliance.”

The Usuthu boss highlighted the match-winning qualities that Sundowns’ stars have consistently produced against his side.

“The likes of Lucas Ribeiro and Peter Shalulile stood out for them in games against us — they made the difference. So this is why I say it’s going to be difficult for everyone,” Zwane added.

AmaZulu’s recent meetings with Sundowns have often been close in general play, only for individual moments to tip the balance towards the Pretoria giants. Zwane knows that neutralising those threats will be key if his team is to return from Loftus with a positive result.

His side’s defensive performance against Orbit offered cause for optimism, with Keagan Allen and Taariq Fielies marshalling the backline effectively. The clean sheet was a promising foundation, but Zwane will be urging greater attacking efficiency, especially in a fixture where chances may be scarce.

For Zwane, the bigger picture is that this season’s league campaign could be among the most competitive in years, with smaller clubs showing less fear and bigger teams facing greater challenges across the board.

Tuesday’s clash will serve as an early litmus test for both teams — Sundowns looking to reassert their dominance, and AmaZulu aiming to prove they can go toe-to-toe with the very best.