5 tips for Baroka in TKO final
BAROKA FC are confident of stunning Orlando Pirates when they meet tomorrow in the Telkom Knockout final at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The two team will lock horns in what promises to be a pulsating encounter of football.
Baroka’s dribbling wizard, Talent Chawapiwa, believes that beating two giants on their way to the final has equipped them to defeat Pirates.
“We are ready. We’ve been in tough battles in this competition. We are mentally strong. If we can beat Sundowns who are the former Caf Champions League champions and Wits who were the defending champions of this Cup, then anything is possible. Those games have made us strong,” Chawapiwa explained.
Baroka are still searching for their maiden trophy. They haven’t lifted a Cup in top-flight football as yet.
“Team work has been our secret weapon. We told ourselves to work together. When we attack, we attack as a team. When we defend, we defend as a team. We give maximum effort. We are a united team. We always tell ourselves that this is one 90 minutes and let us go out there and give our best,” Chawapiwa said.
Pirates are on a roll these days. They haven’t tasted defeat in the past 13 games.
“It is going to be tough. Pirates are on form. They have quality players. They are unbeaten, but that doesn’t mean that they are not beatable. Football is full of surprises. It is not going to be a walk over for Pirates. They know we are coming at them,” Chawapiwa said.
Baroka players will be going out to do it for their coach, Wedson Nyirenda.
“We want to do it for our coach. He was confident that we will reach the Cup final. He told us that he has always reached finals wherever he is. He told us not to spoil his record. It is his dream. We want to do it for him,” Chawapiwa elaborated.
The Zimbabwean midfield ace will play a key role for Baroka in tomorrow’s game.
“In football there’s always pressure. You have to find ways to handle pressure. I know that all eyes we will be on myself. I always back my abilities. I will give 100 percent for my team. I will do my best to deliver for my team. I also want to win my first Cup in South Africa,” Chawapiwa said.
Baroka players and the technical teams will pocket R2million if they beat Pirates.
“It is a huge motivation for us. We have to feed our families and we have to cloth ourselves. It’s always a motivation to go there knowing very well that you will get rewarded if you do well. We are underdogs. Everyone is writing us off, but we will do our best to win this cup,” Chawapiwa explained.