Ndou hyped up at first career semi
Polokwane City striker credits mentor as his TKO brace trick Pirates
Polokwane City goal poacher Rendani Ndou has made it his mission to play in a cup final for the first time in his career.
The in-form Ndou, 30, aims to make his maiden final in the Telkom Knockout after he almost single-handedly steered his team to the semifinal at the weekend.
Rise and Shine secured their last four berth after a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Ndou grabbed a brace for Polokwane in the 2-2 draw in regular time in the quarterfinal in which all goals were scored in an exciting first half.
“I am going to play a cup semifinal for the first time in my career and that gives me even more motivation to make my first final,” Ndou told Sowetan.
“We also made top eight for the first time last season. We were tired of seeing Polokwane always in the relegation zone. We have told ourselves that we can do what we put our mind to.”
The team had a tough week in which they played Soweto giants back-to-back. They drew goalless with Kaizer Chiefs in the league four days prior to their cup meeting with Pirates.
Ndou gave credit to his coach Bernard Molekwa whom he feels has brilliant rapport with the players.
“I believe we performed well in the past week against Chiefs and Pirates, but credit must go to the coach for his good planning.
“He doesn’t get enough credit. He can foresee what will happen in the game because he assesses the opposition. He has a good relationship with the players. Even if I am feeling tired I will run hard because I want to fight for him.”
Having scored three goals while his strike mate Rodney Ramagalela is on six, Ndou feels more goals will come from their partnership in future.
“I have a good relationship with Rama-G [Ramagalela], but it’s not just about the two of us. There is also a player like Jabu Maluleke who is also very important for us.
“My job is to be in the box and I know Rama-G will supply those crosses and assists because he can beat defenders with his pace.”
‘‘ My job is to be in the box and I know Rama-G will supply the crosses