Posted in News, Team News on Mar 08, 2017.
Kaizer Chiefs will not be underestimating Stellenbosch FC this weekend in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 with midfielder George Maluleka revealing that they are preparing for the match like it is an Absa Premiership fixture.
Stellenbosch, formerly known as Vasco Da Gama, are currently in fourth position on the National First Division log standings and in line for a promotion play-off run.
Amakhosi, despite playing a division above the Western Cape-based side, are taking nothing for granted on Saturday, 11 March, at the Athlone Stadium (kick-off is at 20:15).
In the last match the Glamour Boys played at the Cape Town venue against Ajax Cape Town, the team could only manage a draw and they will look for a much better performance to book their passage into the Last 16 of the competition.
“Nothing will change, the preparation won’t, but I would just like to think the performance will this weekend be compared to how it was against any other team in the league,” says Maluleka.
“We are going into this game with a serious mindset, forget which league they (Stellenbosch) are playing in. We want to make sure that we get a positive result, we don’t want any surprises. A positive result come Saturday will enable us to progress to the next stage of the Nedbank Cup and that is important to us in our quest to win the trophies that are left for us.”
The NFD side is led by Sammy Troughton and Steve Barker, two coaches who were instrumental in the development of Maluleka as a player in his early days as a professional player for the University of Pretoria where they instructed. ‘Mido’, as the player is affectionately known, speaks highly of them as co-coaches and about their knowledge of the game.
Maluleka added: “From the years that I have worked with both coaches I can tell you now that it’s going to be a very challenging game for us. All their teams are known for being fighters and we need to be prepared for that come Saturday. They are fourth on the NFD log for a reason and that is because of coach Steve and Sammy, very intelligent coaches who have been in this game for a long time and know what it takes to cause an upset. We will obviously be aware of that and prepare accordingly.”
Heading into the encounter, Steve Komphela’s charges are at full strength with no injuries or suspensions.
The Glamour Boys don’t need much motivation to beat their NFD counterparts, but you suspect they will be extra determined to avoid a cup shock at Athlone this weekend, following their back-to-back one-all draws against the Urban Warriors and the Buccaneers respectively.
Tickets for the encounter are on sale at all TicketPro outlets nationwide.
Stellenbosch, formerly known as Vasco Da Gama, are currently in fourth position on the National First Division log standings and in line for a promotion play-off run.
Amakhosi, despite playing a division above the Western Cape-based side, are taking nothing for granted on Saturday, 11 March, at the Athlone Stadium (kick-off is at 20:15).
In the last match the Glamour Boys played at the Cape Town venue against Ajax Cape Town, the team could only manage a draw and they will look for a much better performance to book their passage into the Last 16 of the competition.
“Nothing will change, the preparation won’t, but I would just like to think the performance will this weekend be compared to how it was against any other team in the league,” says Maluleka.
“We are going into this game with a serious mindset, forget which league they (Stellenbosch) are playing in. We want to make sure that we get a positive result, we don’t want any surprises. A positive result come Saturday will enable us to progress to the next stage of the Nedbank Cup and that is important to us in our quest to win the trophies that are left for us.”
The NFD side is led by Sammy Troughton and Steve Barker, two coaches who were instrumental in the development of Maluleka as a player in his early days as a professional player for the University of Pretoria where they instructed. ‘Mido’, as the player is affectionately known, speaks highly of them as co-coaches and about their knowledge of the game.
Maluleka added: “From the years that I have worked with both coaches I can tell you now that it’s going to be a very challenging game for us. All their teams are known for being fighters and we need to be prepared for that come Saturday. They are fourth on the NFD log for a reason and that is because of coach Steve and Sammy, very intelligent coaches who have been in this game for a long time and know what it takes to cause an upset. We will obviously be aware of that and prepare accordingly.”
Heading into the encounter, Steve Komphela’s charges are at full strength with no injuries or suspensions.
The Glamour Boys don’t need much motivation to beat their NFD counterparts, but you suspect they will be extra determined to avoid a cup shock at Athlone this weekend, following their back-to-back one-all draws against the Urban Warriors and the Buccaneers respectively.
Tickets for the encounter are on sale at all TicketPro outlets nationwide.
