Posted in News, Team News on Mar 31, 2018.
Amakhosi will host Limpopo-based Baroka FC ‘home-away-from-home’ at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, 31 March (kick-off is at 20:15).
“We will give it our all,” coach Steve Komphela looks ahead with supreme confidence. “We are here with one aim and that’s to advance to the next round. The message to the team is clear, go all out and do not spare anything – it’s a knockout match.”
Amakhosi advanced through to the quarterfinals by beating Stellenbosch FC via goals from Erick Mathoho and Leonardo Castro.
Baroka FC beat Steenburg United 2-0 in their Last 16 match with goals coming from Mudzunga Sidumo and Tebogo Sodi.
“We have prepared well for Baroka,” Komphela points out. “They play with high intensity and if you lose concentration they can hurt you. So we will be on guard to thwart any of their threats. They are deadly when they go forward with Gift Motupa leading their attack. But they have their weaknesses, although, of course, we will not reveal those before the game.”
The Glamour Boys went through their pre-match practice in high spirit on Friday. “The pitch is in top condition allowing a spectacular game,” the Chiefs coach comments. “Conditions matter and the conditions here are suitable to our plans.”
Komphela also spoke about the players who came back from doing international duty with Bafana Bafana, including Itumeleng Khune, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Daniel Cardoso and Ryan Moon, and Zimbabwe (Teenage Hadebe).
“Only Cardoso was feeling a bit stiff upon his return, but he has shrugged that off and is available for selection. With the exception of Kabelo Mahlasela and Emmanuel Letlotlo, we have a full squad available to select a winning combination.”
It is all systems go for this much-awaited Nedbank Cup quarterfinal clash. “There are no two ways about it,” Komphela concludes. “There has to be a winner at the end of the match. We are ready to come out triumphant in this one.”
Tickets are sold via TicketPro online www.ticketpro.co.za and at Spar, Edgars, Jet, CNA and Postnet outlets at R60.