As Chiefs put the final touches on their ABSA Cup preparations, captain Cyril Nzama no new comer to Cup Finals looks to the Amakhosi’s prospects ahead of possibly their toughest assignment of the season.

Having assumed the mantle of captaincy from Patrick Mabedi as Chiefs faltered and stumbled out of the starting blocks in the early part of the season.

Nzama has fitted into the role thrust upon him by Coach Ernst Middendorp and has been able to bring unity and togetherness amongst his charges which bode well as Chiefs at one stage looked odds on favourites to have completed a unique league and cup double.

Now on the verge of helping Chiefs win their first ABSA Cup title in six years Cyril is well aware of the role he has in ensuring that come Saturday afternoon he leads the Chiefs parade on to the podium to collect the trophy.

kc.com: Cyril it has been a really long an challenging season for Chiefs, on a personal note how did you find the going prior to taking over the captaincy?

Cyril Nzama: If you remember I started off the season from the side lines as I was still recovering from an injury I picked up in a league game against Pirates towards the end of last season. So it began in frustration for me but once I began to play friendly matches and got under way with full training I began to feel better as I knew things will turn eventually. Than I began to play, when I started playing the team was having a bit of an up and down time so it was a challenge getting in and helping out and than we got knocked out of the Coca Cola Cup.

kc.com: Was assuming the captaincy a hard task and what have been the major challenges for you in ensuring that your term as captain would be an easy one?

Cyril Nzama: At first it was a shock to me because if you look back at Patrick Mabedi’s time as the captain he really did well and I admired the way he lead the team, so it was a surprise to me when I was told that I was going to be the captain. At first it was hard because I really did not know what I needed to do how I needed to behave

my task was made easier by the players who responded well to whatever instructions I gave them.

kc.com: The ABSA Cup Final against Pirates presents with one of your hardest challenges since you became the captain. Are you looking forward to the game and what are your thoughts on facing the old enemy in the final?

Cyril Nzama: Being in a final on its own is a major honour for us and to be able to lead the team out in front of all those people will be really exciting. You know once you have been to a couple of finals it becomes easier and I have a lot of experienced players with me like Thabo Mooki, Shoes Moshoeu and Fabian McCarthy and having them to guide me through will obviously help me and hopefully ensure our eventual victory.

kc.com: Finally Cyril what will be the key to victory for us on Saturday and are you confident of victory.

Cyril Nzama: Firstly I need to be confident because I am the captain and if I do not think that my team can win the game and than we are in problems because fear can easily be detected.

If I begin to worry than it will filter down to the guys, we have a good team and one that has shown it can rise up on the big occasion and turn things in our favour and I do not think it will be any different on Saturday.

One of the keys to victory on Saturday will be for us to be as to be rock solid in defence as well keep shape and discipline up front.

We need some key guys like Thabo Mooki and David Obua to play well from the start and that will lift the rest of the guys, we just need to be cool early on and take the first opportunities that fall our way and punish the opposition.