Johannesburg - Jimmy Tau believes Kaizer Chiefs' defence will play a pivotal role in ensuring the team progresses to the Telkom Knockout quarter-finals.
AmaZulu entertain Amakhosi at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday and the skipper is confident the club will keep yet another clean sheet.
He told Football365.co.za: "I think our defence has been doing very well.
"We looked at some stats of previous seasons, say about as far back as three seasons back and there were areas we picked up that we needed to improve and the defence was part of it."
Chiefs have conceded a single goal in five league matches and Tau expects the back four to do well in cup competitions too.
"We are doing everything in our power to make sure we improve on that, not only in defence but in our general play. But I think the defence will once again do well for the team and let's hope we can get the goals too and win this match.
"I know we have been missing the chances but we will get it right. The good thing is we are creating the chances but we must convert most of those chances."
The Kimberley-born defender further tells this site the team is under "obvious pressure" against Usuthu.
"We have built some reputation in terms of winning cups and it is another challenge for us.
"We are the defending champions of this cup and we are playing away from home, that is obvious pressure for us but that comes with playing for this big club... just being part of this club means pressure on and off-the-field.
"We respect AmaZulu and with the kind of football they play we expect an open game and I think this is one game the supporters will enjoy, because I think based on the way the two teams play it will be an open game," Tau concluded.
AmaZulu entertain Amakhosi at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday and the skipper is confident the club will keep yet another clean sheet.
He told Football365.co.za: "I think our defence has been doing very well.
"We looked at some stats of previous seasons, say about as far back as three seasons back and there were areas we picked up that we needed to improve and the defence was part of it."
Chiefs have conceded a single goal in five league matches and Tau expects the back four to do well in cup competitions too.
"We are doing everything in our power to make sure we improve on that, not only in defence but in our general play. But I think the defence will once again do well for the team and let's hope we can get the goals too and win this match.
"I know we have been missing the chances but we will get it right. The good thing is we are creating the chances but we must convert most of those chances."
The Kimberley-born defender further tells this site the team is under "obvious pressure" against Usuthu.
"We have built some reputation in terms of winning cups and it is another challenge for us.
"We are the defending champions of this cup and we are playing away from home, that is obvious pressure for us but that comes with playing for this big club... just being part of this club means pressure on and off-the-field.
"We respect AmaZulu and with the kind of football they play we expect an open game and I think this is one game the supporters will enjoy, because I think based on the way the two teams play it will be an open game," Tau concluded.