Industrious midfielder, Siphiwe Tshabalala will be back to boost the Amakhosi when they take on Usuthu at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, 11 August kickoff is at 18:00.

Shabba missed both Carling Black Label Cup and MTN8 games against Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns respectively due to injury.

Head Coach, Stuart Baxter welcomed the return of Siphiwe Tshabalala; “We are glad that he (Siphiwe Tshabalala) is back for the game against AmaZulu.

Siboniso Gaxa will miss the trip to Durban though; “It has been a difficult week of preparation for us as a few of our players were in and out with flu but we have good enough squad to do the job against AmaZulu. ‘Pa’ is still out and should be back in two weeks’ time.

AmaZulu were also knocked out of MTN8 against Moroka Swallows and they are expected to come with guns blazing at Moses Mabhida Stadium; “We were able to gather information on them and they have a good team.

“We are focusing on our game plan though. Our intention is to start the league on a high note,” said the Englishman speaking to kaizerchiefs.com on Friday afternoon.

Two league games last season produced goalless draws against the two sides.

Amakhosi have history on their side though having won 27 matches compared to seven for Usuthu, while 12 have been drawn in the 46 league matches since 1985.