As one of the six non-Absa Premiership teams left in the competition, Ubuntu will fancy their chances over an out-of-form AmaZulu FC, having already knocked out a top-flight team in the previous round in their 3-2 extra-time victory over Polokwane City.
Having spent most of the season propping up the NFD table, the Cape club have enjoyed a resurgence since the turn of the year, having lost just two of their nine games in all competitions while lifting themselves up to 12th in the second-tier standings.
They’re unbeaten in their last four games, and head into their tie against Usuthu following back-to-back league victories against University of Pretoria and Mthatha Bucks. AmaZulu will no doubt be wary of striker Ranga Chivaviro, who is the joint leader of the First Division scoring charts with 11 league strikes to his name, having also netted a brace against Rise and Shine in the previous round.
AmaZulu, meanwhile, head into the cup tie on a slump, having been sucked into a possible relegation dog-fight in the Absa Premiership: they currently sit in 13th spot on 27 points, just three points above Ajax Cape Town in 15th.
Usuthu needed penalties to overcome Mthatha Bucks in the previous round, and haven’t recorded a victory since, drawing one and losing two of their league games, their last being a 3-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns last week.
An upcoming league clash against fellow strugglers Ajax could go a long way in determining their league fate come May, with Ubuntu hoping to capitalise on the KwaZulu-Natal club’s possible relegation fears.
Kick-off at King Zwelithini Stadium is set for 20h00.