Master v Novice in Nedbank Cup final
The Nedbank Cup final is set to be a thriller, considering that Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane is searching for a treble, while Bloemfontein Celtic’s mentor John Maduka is earmarking a grand entrance into top-flight football.
PITSO MOSIMANE
Pitso Mosimane is on the verge of winning his first domestic treble at Mamelodi Sundowns since taking over the reins at the club from Johan Neeskens seven and a half years ago.
In December, the Brazilians won the Telkom Knockout and last Saturday they bagged the league title.
Mosimane’s troops pipped Kaizer Chiefs on the last day of the season to claim a record tenth PSL title.
In the bigger scheme of things, this was an addition of another feather in Mosimane’s cap, considering that his reign as the most successful coach in South African football remains undisputed – having won five league championships.
But it appears that Mosimane is well set for a ground-breaking campaign as a win against Celtic in the Nedbank Cup final this Saturday will secure his third trophy this season and 11th since joining Sundowns.
JOHN MADUKA
John Maduka is relishing a memorable stint as Bloemfontein Celtic’s commander in chief, considering that his troops are one win away from collecting a cool cheque of R7 million if they beat Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup final.
Moreover, the mere fact that Celtic got this far in the tournament deserves plaudits considering that the club’s financial struggles are well documented under chairman Max Tshabalala.
But with or without their financial woes, Phunya Sele Sele have ensured that they aced their responsibilities on the pitch and have now qualified for continental football next season.
The fact that Celtic have punched above their weight and got this far in the Nedbank Cup may be largely due to the exploits of former coach Lehlohonolo Seema who left during the national lockdown.
Maduka, who was Seema’s assistant, took over the reins during the lockdown without having had to chop and change, but this is a moment for him to make history.
After all, it’s every local coach’s dream to get the better of the astute Mosimane in a Cup final that will bring down the curtain on the domestic season.