Stuart Baxter’s homecoming hasn’t been as smooth as many expected so far, but with AmaZulu he is now facing his favourite opponents.
The Englishman rejoined Chiefs after his successful stint between 2012 and 2015. However, Baxter’s men could only pick up five points from their first five DStv Premiership games.
The club’s slow start has put Baxter under pressure to get some positive results but now his favourites opponents are awaiting him in Durban.
The 68-year-old had a 100% record against Usuthu during his first stint with Amakhosi, winning all six league games, including a heroic 6-0 thumping in his first-ever PSL match, which is to date still the Glamour Boys’ biggest victory over AmaZulu.
Overall, his side has scored 18 goals and only conceded twice over this run.
Chiefs’ overall record against Saturday’s opponents also makes for a good reading, with Amakhosi picking up 25 league wins from 38 clashes since the advent of the PSL in 1996/97 – the second-best record against any team, only bettered by Chiefs’ 27 league victories over Free State Stars.
AmaZulu themselves have only four of the 38 games against Chiefs, while nine ended in a draw. The Glamour Boys have faced AmaZulu 19 times away from home and are still unbeaten since 1996/97, winning 13 and drawing six.
Amakhosi are currently on a run of 22 away league games going back to 1992 without losing to Usuthu (W15, D7) and Baxter will hope his side can extend that run on Saturday otherwise he will probably be under huge pressure during the upcoming international break.
