AmaZulu coach Benni McCarthy admits his side are not in top shape following their 1-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Usuthu enjoyed a phenomenal 2020/21 campaign, ending up as runners-up to Sundowns.
But this term the side are yet to get going, and were eliminated from the MTN8 quarter-finals 2-1 by Cape Town City before suffering defeat in their opening match of the new season.
Reflecting on his side’s start, McCarthy said on Kick Off: “Disappointing on our side, because definitely not the results we wanted, you know it’s a tough one.
“But at the end of the day we were up against the champions (Mamelodi Sundowns) people might excuse for being a little bit nervous.
“You might forgive the guys for that, because pre-season is all about fitness and you don’t really work much on finishing.
“I can forgive the team for not being as sharp as would be usually, but I think in general, I can’t have much of a complaint about the attitude, the mentality, the mindset and the desire from my team.”