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Cape Town - AmaZulu coach Steve Barker said a concerted effort would be made to secure as much match-time as possible as the date for the resumption of the league draws closer.
Read: Downs' Ntuli off to Usuthu
Usuthu, who are currently well entrenched in the relegation zone, will not receive any favours when the campaign starts again, as the first assignment will be against Orlando Pirates at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
While Barker has worked on several aspects of this team’s performance during this extended mid-term break, he also believes that the only way his team will hit the ground running will be by achieving full match fitness.
The club's plan is to play friendly matches in Johannesburg, Nelspruit and Swaziland during the last week of January.
"It will be useful for us, for some confidence as we try to get unity and togetherness going ahead of our first league match with Pirates next month," said Barker of the current programme.
Also encouraging for AmaZulu is the progress made by new signings Mbulelo Mabizela and Roscoe Pietersen, both of whom competed during the club’s 2-0 victory against Thanda Royal Zulu at the weekend.
"OJ (Mabizela) looked sharp and commanded the back very well with his teammates, Roscoe too is getting back to his sharpness," said Barker, who was wholly satisfied with the work done in match situations thus far.
"It was good to get match practice under the belt against Thanda, they’re a good NFD team who’re challenging to come up.
"It’s good also for our keepers to keep a clean sheet, even in friendlies. It will be useful for us for some confidence as we try to get unity and togetherness going ahead of our first league match with Pirates next month."
