AmaZulu coach Benni McCarthy is chasing a strong finish after Usuthu failed to topple champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
AmaZulu clash with Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Thursday (17h00).
Usuthu, who are left with three matches before they end the season, have 50 points from 27 games.
“It’s been fairly long since we played Baroka. It gave us some time to work on our tactics,” McCarthy, nominee for the Coach of the Season award, said.
“I’m happy with the attitude and mentality from the boys. I hope the boys will be fresh, will be ready, will be hungry.”
The former Cape Town City coach regards his team’s last three matches as ‘cup finals’ as he wants to ensure that Usuthu finish in second place at the end of the season.
After facing Pirates, Usuthu are going to be left with matches against Swallows FC and Maritzburg United.
“This is the first time we are in this situation. It’s in our hands. We have to do it for ourselves, we have to do it for the AmaZulu fans,” McCarthy said.
“Hopefully, the boys will have the same desire to succeed. We will just put our foot further in securing the second place.”
