Amazulu's quest to end their long trophy drought this season begins tonight when they face SuperSport United in the quarter-finals of the MTN8 knockout competition at Chatsworth Stadium (8.15pm kick-off).
Usuthu last won a trophy - the old Coca-Cola Cup - in 1992, but now wish to add a cup to the re-branding exercise they have just gone through, which is partly designed to attract a younger generation of supporters.
The club's new slogan is "Only The Brave", and new coach Neil Tovey and new captain Pere Ariweriyai promise the players are ready to die with their boots on.
"We have great expectations," 47-year-old Tovey said yesterday.
"The club's trying to be more professional in all areas. We are looking forward to improving on last season. We need to get results to go with the new image."
The new image includes a brighter logo that has not one but three footballs in it.
"We were hard to beat towards the end of last season and I want to make the team even harder to beat this season. If we can do that, then we'll be in line for trophies," said Tovey.
"We have had a good pre-season - we have not lost a match - and I am happy with the squad."
In the squad are six new faces, with defender Warren Bishop looking set to make his debut tonight, especially since "old faces" Kampamba Chintu and Belux Bukasa are nursing injuries.
One of the other new signings, diminutive attacking midfielder Sibusiso Hadebe, also misses the game through injury.
"SuperSport are obviously dangerous with their direct game. We need to take care of that," said Tovey.
"Firstly, we have to make sure we cut off the supply to the strikers. Secondly, we will have to know what to do in the event of us failing to take care of the first priority.
"We must also watch out for needless free kicks, because they can be dangerous from set pieces."
That involves suppressing SuperSport's wide players, Daine Klate and Elias Pelembe.
Said Usuthu skipper Ariweriyai: "The motivation and fighting spirit is there.
"Our opponents must watch out. The players are ready to die for this team."
Usuthu are playing in the MTN8 for the first time, after finishing eighth in the league last season, and would love to get their hands on the R8 million winner-takes-all prize.
The other seven participants get R800 000.
SuperSport coach Gavin Hunt has said the same about his team's desire and he will no doubt warn them to be on their full guard tonight in view of AmaZulu's victory over them in the second round of last season's league at the same venue.
Meanwhile, Golden Arrows will be without midfielders Philani Shange and Kagisho Dikgacoi when they face Free State Stars away from home tomorrow.
Shange is suspended while Dikgacoi is finalising a new contract with Fulham in England.
Arrows have not made many signings in the pre-season, so coach Manqoba Mngqithi will be relying on the regular faces to get the job done.