AmaZulu FC vs Orlando Pirates: Kick off, TV channel, live score, squad news and preview

AmaZulu FC will play host to Orlando Pirates in their opening 2020/21 Premier Soccer League (PSL) match at Jonsson Kings Park Stadium on Saturday.

Usuthu are starting an era under new and ambitious owner Sandile Zungu, who has promised to transform the team into top four contenders this season.

This has put Ayanda Dlamini under pressure and the 36-year tactician will be keen to start his first full campaign as AmaZulu head coach with a win over Pirates.

The KwaZulu-Natal giants will be up against a Pirates side which is oozing with confidence after securing a 1-0 win over Cape Town City in the MTN8 quarter-finals last weekend. 

Coach Josef Zinnbauer will also be under pressure to guide the Buccaneers to their maiden major trophy since 2014 t and a win over AmaZulu will indicate that the team is on the right path.

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

The game will be shown live on SuperSport TV. 

Squads & Team News

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AmaZulu have not reported any injuries in their camp and they have no players in this weekend's PSL suspension list which has boosted coach Dlamini's team selection

The retired striker is most likely keep faith in the striking partnership of Bonginkosi Ntuli and Lehlohonolo Majoro which played an instrumental role in helping the team avoid relegation last season.

Dlamini also has the luxury to include former Pirates attackers Luvuyo Memela and Augustine Mulenga in the starting line-up, while ex-Kaizer Chiefs captain Siphiwe Tshabalala is also an option after joining the Durban-based side.

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Meanwhile, Pirates defender Innocent Maela is set to return from suspension and the Bafana Bafana international is expected to start as he is the club's first-choice left-back.

Ghana international Richard Ofori has been brought in by the club to strengthen Zinnbauer's goalkeeping department, but Wayne Sandilands is unlikely to be dropped after keeping a clean sheet against City.

The German coach will look to Terrence Dzvukamanja, who marked his debut for Pirates with a goal in the victory over City and he could be partnered with last season's PSL Golden Boot award winner Frank Mhango upfront.

Match Preview

AmaZulu are enjoying a four-match unbeaten run across all competitions having recorded three draws and one victory.

Usuthu also have a similar home record having registered three draws and one win in their last four competitive games as the hosts. 

While Pirates are in good form at the moment as they are undefeated in their last four matches across all competitions having recorded four successive wins.

The Soweto giants have lost just one of their last nine competitive matches on the road and registered four wins and four draws as visitors. 

In head-to-head stats since 1985, Pirates and AmaZulu have met in 59 league matches.

Bucs have dominated this fixture claiming 26 victories compared to 10 for Usuthu, while 23 matches have been drawn.

The two teams drew 0-0 in a first-round league game in Durban last season, before Pirates secured a 1-0 win in a second-round encounter in Soweto.