AmaZulu have a crisis in their striking department ahead of their Absa Premiership fixture against Mamelodi Sundowns at Atteridgeville's Super Stadium on Wednesday night (kick-off 7.30pm).

The match was originally scheduled for September 13 but was postponed due to the death of Usutuh's 27-year-old striker Siyabonga Mkhwanazi two days before that match.

Since that tragedy, AmaZulu find themselves down to two strikers in veteran Sean Dundee and rookie Brad Ritson. The clubs other strikers Myron Shongwe, Dumisani Ngwenya and Collins Chabalala are all sidelined with injuries.

Dundee (37) who played successfully in the Bundesliga for VfB Stuttgart among other German sides in his long career, has not played a full 90 minutes of competitive soccer since joining AmaZulu in the off-season. He has made only one appearance as a substitute, while Ritson is in his first PSL season and has only three games in the top flight under his belt.

But Usuthu technical manager Neil Tovey, who with Miguel Gamondi won the Premiership title with Sundowns in 2006, is not losing any sleep over this latest crisis.

But admitted Tovey: "Both Dundee and Ritson lack game time. But Dundee has made a difference since joining us. He has tremendous experience in Germany, Austria and England and has a fantastic attitude. He certainly knows where the goals are. If we get good service to both Dundee and Ritson then I am confident we will upset Sundowns The service to the strikers will be the key."

Tovey said he knows how and who the Brazilians will play against his new club.

Said the former Bafana Bafana skipper: "Both clubs are under pressure to get a result. I know what is going down at Sundowns. We need to make sure we keep them under pressure and make it count."

Tovey said that the way to play Sundowns was to take the game to them.

Said Tovey: "We will not be going with a negative attitude. AmaZulu no matter where we play always try to be positive and that is how we are approaching this match."

Tovey said he was not worrying about any individual stars in the 'Downs ranks. He added that despite losing to PSL champions SuperSport United in the first round of the Telkom Knockout at home last weekend, there was no need to push panic buttons.

Said Tovey: "We watched the match against United again and we did not play badly expect in front of goals where we did not create enough chances."

Sundowns have lost their last two matches — they were beaten by Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN 8 final last month in Durban and then were thumped 4-2 by Golden Arrows at the Super Stadium in their last league outing.

Those two results has put coach Trott Moloto under more pressure.

But the former Bafana head coach is experienced enough not to start panicking. He has a class squad of players with depth. The likes of Collins Mbesuma, Lerato Chabangu, Surprise Moriri and Katlego Mashego on the night can rip any defence to shreds.

That point will not have escaped Tovey and his head coach Clive Barker.

Sapa