Arthur Zwane welcomes AmaZulu opportunity to win Nedbank Cup

Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have all been bundled out of the 32-team tournament prior to this weekend's quarterfinals, with Usuthu among those tipped to claim the honours.

Zwane, who won the Ke Yona cup twice as a player with Amakhosi, insists the absence of Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns doesn't necessarily make it easier but it does present them an opportunity worth grabbing.

"Ja, that's where the problem starts. The history of this cup is why they call it 'The Cup of Dreams' — anyone can win it. It's not about who you're playing. We've always said we want to compete and  we wanted to win cups, and at the end of the day this is an opportunity for us. We are going to have to give it our all," said Zwane

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AmaZulu are up against a high-riding Casric Stars, who sent The Buccaneers packing in the last round, and '10111' expects a formidable fight at Moses Mabhida Stadium tomorrow.

"It's going to be a difficult game for us. As we have already alluded to, they knocked Orlando Pirates out of the cup. If you look at how they are doing in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, they have always been a team that finishes in the top three. For the past four seasons, I think, they have been competing, so that alone tells you how good they are."

The former midfielder also unpacked the Motsepe Foundation Championship side's performance against Pirates, acknowledging that AmaZulu now need to prove their top flight pedigree.

Meanwhile, 26-year-old Brazilian defender Gustavo Lopes, who arrived in Durban in the January transfer window, earned his full debut against Magesi in midweek and Zwane provided insight into his staggered introduction to the team.