AmaZulu's gateway to return to CAF inter-club competitions

By Velile Mnyandu
19th March 2024

AmaZulu head coach Pablo Franco Martin’s ambition is to take Usuthu back to the CAF inter-club competitions and he believes that a perfect run in the Nedbank Cup guarantees them that.

Speaking to SABC Sport after drawing defending champions Orlando Pirates in the Ke Yona quarterfinals last night, Martin says the Durban-based side wants to continue to build their profile on the continent.

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In the 2021/2022 season under former coach Benni McCarthy, Usuthu reached the CAF Champions League group stages.

By winning the green bank’s trophy this season, they would qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup next season, a stage Martin wants to return to.

''It is one of the objectives of the club, from Mr Sandile Zungu. We want to represent South Africa in the international competition as AmaZulu, it is the best thing that can happen as a team.

''These kinds of games make us better as a club,'' said Martin.

The last time the two teams met in a cup game, Pirates beat AmaZulu 1-0 in the MTN8 final last season. But a confident Martin is backing his team’s chances of shocking an on-form Bucs.

''These are the kind of games we like to play, it going be a tough game, because we know they are a good team,'' added Martin.

In the last 16 stage, Usuthu registered a good result on the road, beating another on-form team in Sekhukhune United 2-0.

Against Pirates, they will enjoy the comfort of playing in front of their home crowd, with a busy programme in the second round, Martin is welcoming a home draw that will save them from traveling.

''It's an advantage, not to travel during this is advantage because of the many games we are going to playing in the PSL,'' he concluded

This latest draw means that AmaZulu will be meeting Pirates twice next month, with the league fixture scheduled for Orlando Stadium on the 20th.

The quarterfinals will be played a weekend before that, between the 12th and 14th, Martin is equally aware that they are coming up against an on-form Pirates, who have scored 15 goals in five matches and are unbeaten in those matches. But the Spanish-born coach says they will be equal to the task.