DURBAN – Siyethemba Mnguni of AmaZulu has set his sights on two objectives. On top of his priorities is to help Usuthu survive relegation and attract the eye of Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter for the Cosafa Cup.
Mnguni (25) is enjoying his football at Usuthu in his debut season of top-flight football, where he has played 17 games for his club this season.
Mnguni joined AmaZulu from the National First Division (NFD) outfit Mbombela United. In his last outing, against Kaizer Chiefs, he walked away with the man of the match performance as his side earned a valuable point.
Usuthu will face Ajax Cape Town on Tuesday at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi in an Absa Premiership relegation tussle. The game will kick off at 7.30pm. Mnguni opened up about his desire to help Usuthu keep their Premier Soccer League (PSL) status and earn a call-up to the national team.
“My goal is to help my team survive relegation. The game against Ajax it is very important for us. They are fighting relegation and we are also fighting to run away from the relegation mix. If we win, we will open up a six-point gap between ourselves and Ajax.
That’s why this game is important to us. We want to finish in the top 8. This is a must-win game for us,” Mnguni elaborated.
Usuthu are languishing at 11th on the log after 24 matches. They have collected 28 points, three above the play-off 15th position occupied by Ajax.
“It is going to be a pound-for-pound encounter, and an entertaining game of football. We both want to win so that we can escape the relegation zone. We won’t allow them to beat us at home.
We are aware that they will come out guns blazing. We can still sneak into the top 8. We are three to four points behind the teams that are in a top 8 spot,” said Mnguni.
Siyethemba Mnguni won Man of the match during the match against Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
AmaZulu are on a 5-match win-less streak. The last time Usuthu won was against Mthatha Bucks in the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup in February.
“It is my goal and my dream to play for my country. I’m hopeful that my chance will come, so that I can showcase what I can offer for the national team.
For me it will be an honour to be in the same environment as top players. I will keep on working hard, with the hope that my good work will be noticed.’’