AmaZulu FC attacking midfielder Sphesihle Maduna has stressed the importance of participating in the 2023 KZN Premier’s Cup ahead of the 2023/24 season.

The annual pre-season tournament is scheduled to take place over the weekend of the 22 and 23 July at the Sugar Ray Xulu and Prince Magogo Stadium.

Usuthu are set to rival the likes of Lamontville Golden Arrows, Royal AM, Richards Bay, Maritzburg United and Milford for the pre-season trophy.

Maduna says the tournament will be a good addition to their pre-season in preparation for the upcoming season.

“The Premier’s Cup helps a lot when preparing for the new and upcoming season,” Maduna told his club’s official website.

“I have seen in the past years that coaches use the tournament to gauge the players’ readiness for the new season.

“The tournament also helps in terms of checking whether the players understand the coach’s style of play and philosophy.

“So, the Premier’s Cup is a big tournament that also helps grow players and gives them a chance to display their talent.”

He added that new head coach Pablo Franco Martin will also use this tournament to gauge the team’s readiness for the season ahead.

“The new coach will also see how far we are in terms of how he wants us to play as a team,” he added.

“It will also help us as players to see how fellow PSL clubs play. Four of the teams in this tournament are PSL clubs.

“We are going to play against Royal AM when the new season starts. We are also going to meet them in the Premier’s Cup.”

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