Posted in News, Team News on Feb 20, 2020.
Amakhosi goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune believes that his side’s two previous victories over Highlands Park this season (both of which came in league games), will have no bearing on their upcoming Nedbank Cup last 16 encounter against them at a sold out Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa on Saturday afternoon. While Khune is expecting a challenging outing on Saturday afternoon, he is also quietly confident that Chiefs will be able to withstand the tough assignment that is ahead of them as they hope to seal progression to the quarterfinals.
Khune was a teenager when he was on the bench amongst the substitutes when Chiefs won the Nedbank Cup in 2006. He watched from the sidelines as Amakhosi defeated Orlando Pirates to lift the Absa Cup as the trophy was known back then.
“For me the Nedbank Cup holds many special memories. I remember the 2006 Absa Cup final (now Nedbank Cup) very well. Ernst Middendorp was our coach back then as well and I was on the bench that day. So, this is a very significant cup for me. I can always look back with fond memories on this tournament I won it as part of the team in 2006 and I played in the final in 2013, when we defeated SuperSport in the final,” reminisces Khune.
Of their upcoming opponents in the last 16 Khune is adamant that he and his teammates have put their two wins over them this season behind them and are only concentrating on Saturday’s one-off eliminator as Chiefs aim to reach the last eight for the fourth season in succession.
“We might have played them already this season, but this is a different ball game,” Khune points out. “They are hosting us, but for us playing home or away is not different because we are fortunate to have fans who travel to all of our games and we must use that to our advantage. We are not expecting an easy match but we ready for the fight and want to ensure we carry on in the competition.”
Khune who has won several cup competitions with Chiefs. He will also be looking to draw on his vast experience to help Chiefs navigate through the tournament and go as far as possible.
“Cup games are never easy,” he says. “You can play for 90 minutes and then have the game extended for another 30 minutes and penalties. We will aim not to stretch the game and try and get the result inside 90 minutes. We must be mentally, physically and emotionally prepared because in games like this, we cannot afford to switch off at any stage - we need to be alert. We also need to make the most of our chances.”
Khune and Chiefs will be taking on Highlands Park at 15:00 at the Makhulong Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Tickets for the game have been sold out and fans without tickets have been urged in the interest of public safety not to journey down to the stadium.
Khune was a teenager when he was on the bench amongst the substitutes when Chiefs won the Nedbank Cup in 2006. He watched from the sidelines as Amakhosi defeated Orlando Pirates to lift the Absa Cup as the trophy was known back then.
“For me the Nedbank Cup holds many special memories. I remember the 2006 Absa Cup final (now Nedbank Cup) very well. Ernst Middendorp was our coach back then as well and I was on the bench that day. So, this is a very significant cup for me. I can always look back with fond memories on this tournament I won it as part of the team in 2006 and I played in the final in 2013, when we defeated SuperSport in the final,” reminisces Khune.
Of their upcoming opponents in the last 16 Khune is adamant that he and his teammates have put their two wins over them this season behind them and are only concentrating on Saturday’s one-off eliminator as Chiefs aim to reach the last eight for the fourth season in succession.
“We might have played them already this season, but this is a different ball game,” Khune points out. “They are hosting us, but for us playing home or away is not different because we are fortunate to have fans who travel to all of our games and we must use that to our advantage. We are not expecting an easy match but we ready for the fight and want to ensure we carry on in the competition.”
Khune who has won several cup competitions with Chiefs. He will also be looking to draw on his vast experience to help Chiefs navigate through the tournament and go as far as possible.
“Cup games are never easy,” he says. “You can play for 90 minutes and then have the game extended for another 30 minutes and penalties. We will aim not to stretch the game and try and get the result inside 90 minutes. We must be mentally, physically and emotionally prepared because in games like this, we cannot afford to switch off at any stage - we need to be alert. We also need to make the most of our chances.”
Khune and Chiefs will be taking on Highlands Park at 15:00 at the Makhulong Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Tickets for the game have been sold out and fans without tickets have been urged in the interest of public safety not to journey down to the stadium.
