“There is a strong will to win in the team,” says Lucky Baloyi, looking ahead of Amakhosi’s trip to his home province of Limpopo. “The technical team is pushing us hard to be ready for the new season. The good thing is that we are willing to work our socks off to restore the pride of our supporters.”

Amakhosi will participate in the FAME Cup as the invited team from outside Limpopo Province on Saturday, 6 August.

“Everything looks good so far,” adds Baloyi.

The midfielder’s start last season was not what the Mokopane-born midfielder wished: “I started last season with an ankle injury. And, that almost summed up my season but, at least things are looking good at the start of this season.”

Baloyi also revealed that, “the spirit in the camp is at a high. We are there for each other and this augurs well for our chances of great things to come this season.”

Baloyi did not feature in the Carling Black Label Champion Cup win over arch-rivals Orlando Pirates last Saturday.

“We have set ourselves a nice challenge after the Carling performance,” he comments. “The supporters are looking for nothing else than a win.”

Amakhosi will play Magesi FC in their first match of the FAME Charity Cup at Polokwane’s New Peter Mokobe Stadium (kick-off is at 13:00). The final will be against the winner of the game between Black Leopards and Baroka FC (this match will kick off at 11:00, while the final take place at 17:00).

“I watched Magesi play in the past,” Baloyi says about Saturday’s opponents. “They are a good side and under their coach Jackie Ledwaba they play good football. We have to watch them carefully, as we have to do with any team we meet.”

“First things first for me,” Baloyi reacts when asked about the possibility to play on Saturday. “Let me work hard and convince the technical team that I am ready to fight for the team. Then, we can start talking. Although, of course, I would like to play in front of my home crowd.”