Richards Bay can take advantage… AmaZulu

Cheslyn Jampies – Former Richards Bay defender

On the KZN side’s current form

Richards Bay has grown. I’ve had the opportunity to represent them, and they are growing. You can see the football they are playing is results-oriented football and I feel that has worked for them recently. When you have the ability to knock teams like (Orlando) Pirates out of the competition, then you must be doing something right because I can tell you for free that you don’t just walk over teams like Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns or Kaizer Chiefs. These are well-oiled teams, and they have players who are focused and hard-working, so if you have an ability to come away with victories over teams like that in this competition, then you definitely know that you are on the right track.

On how much Tembo needs a win

I am happy that Richards Bay has stuck with coach Kaitano until this far because we are all in agreement that the team has improved. You can see that they are actually playing for results now. A lot of the young boys have matured so well into good professional athletes and I feel that coach Kaitano can go all the way if things go the way they have been going. If they carry on this way, I don’t see any reason why they can’t go all the way. I do believe that he has the capacity in the team to do this. When he was at Sekhukhune (United), it was a little bit up and down, but he got to Richards Bay and it’s clear what impact he has brought to the team.

On how Natal Rich Boyz must approach the game

The first thing they need to do is do their homework correctly. If they do their homework correctly, they will know that Stellenbosch is a counter-attacking team and they love bringing in crosses. They rely on (Iqraam) Rayners, so they need to guard against that and just take their chances and they will come away with the victory. I am not 100 percent convinced with the defence of Stellenbosch, so Richards Bay can take advantage and take their chances when they get them. Richards Bay has the potential to rotate the ball quite easily, so that’s how I believe they can come away with a victory.

Prediction

I’d say 2-1 to Richards Bay. It will be an end-to-end high-tempo game, but my gut tells me there will be one mistake from each team.

Rayners will score Diego Brown – Former Stellenbosch FC winger On Stellenbosch’s away form in this cup

Judging by how well they are doing away from home, the guys must be positive. It’s always difficult going away from home, but it’s been working for Stellies this season. I don’t think playing away from home will be an issue for them. It’s a semifinal and it’s a chance for them to get to the final. On the other hand, Richards Bay have been doing well at home in this competition, so they are not going to make it easy for Stellies. But Stellies are wellcoached, so they will be prepared, whether it’s at home or away.

On Barker eyeing a final

Stellies were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup semi-final last season and in the MTN8 this season, and they have not won anything besides when they won promotion to the PSL (topflight). For the coach, it’s time for him to reach a final and it will be great for him to win it. He reached a final with University of Pretoria in 2009 when they lost to (Moroka) Swallows, so this will be a big one to get over this hurdle and try to win the competition.

On how to break down the hosts

It’s always difficult to play Richards Bay. They will be more confident because they will be playing at home. This will be their third game at home in this competition, so obviously they have gained some momentum. They knocked out Pirates, so there will be some belief that they can get to the final. But I think Stellies will believe that they can beat them. Stellenbosch likes to play on the counter, using the speed up front. They need to use that speed and attack well. They can hurt Richards Bay on transitional play. It’s a tricky game. Iqraam Rayners will be important for Stellies. He has been getting his form back.

Prediction

I am going with a 1-0 win for Stellies. Iqraam Rayners will score.

ulu from their axy are strong hurt AmaZulu through the idfield pushes s. Once Mbunx, it releases opportunities. lls from wing n be very danto win 1-0. I is game with fact that they ns gives them feel that they is cup.