Richards Bay eye derby response against AmaZulu

The Natal Rich Boyz, who currently occupy 10th on the table – two points outside the top eight and five clear of 15th placed Orbit College, will visit Usuthu at Moses Mabhida Stadium this evening (18:00). 

Zothwane believes the overall performance against Pirates showed encouraging signs and can serve as motivation heading into this evening's KwaZulu-Natal derby.

"We are prepared for the game against AmaZulu after the defeat against Pirates, but we take the positives from that game because we felt the team played very well," said Zothwane.

"So, going to AmaZulu, it's going to be a difficult game because it's a derby and AmaZulu are fighting to be in the top four, and as Richards Bay, we are fighting to be in the top eight."

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In two previous meetings this season already, Richards Bay won 2-0 in a league clash in December before Usuthu won 1-0 in the Nedbank Cup round of 16, and Zothwane says motivation is high among the players to claim the bragging rights.

"So it's going to be a very difficult match, considering that in our last league match in December we beat them and they beat us in the cup game," he added.

"So it's a game of bragging rights, it's a game that players don't need any motivation for from the technical team – on their own, they know they don't want to lose against their rivals."