Chiefs to take no chances against minnows
Chiefs to field regular team against amateurs
Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp will not be taking any chances when his team come up against amateur side The Magic in the Nedbank Cup last 16.
The Cape side will host Amakhosi at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday (3pm).
Middendorp’s team laboured to a 1-0 win over another amateur side Tornado, who like The Magic play in the ABC Motsepe League, in the first round.
Speaking to the media yesterday at the PSL offices in Parktown, Johannesburg, Middendorp insisted that he’s going to field the best players at his disposal.
“It’s our obligation to qualify for the next round, showing that we take it serious,” he said. “The best that we have will be on the field and we are not going to take it easy and show disrespect (to the opponents).”
Chiefs will be without new goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, who’s cup tied after playing for Chippa United against Sundowns in the last 32 and later joined Chiefs.
In his place, Middendorp confirmed that Bruce Bvuma will step in, but the rest of the positions will be filled by the regulars.
Chiefs are almost at full strength and the only players missing are Lebogang Manyama (knee), Itumeleng Khune (shoulder) and Mulomowandau Mathoho (ankle).
Meanwhile, central-defender Daniel Cardoso admitted that they took Tornado lightly in the last 32, only scrapping through and will not make the same mistake.
“We were a bit relaxed and we thought we had won the game before the game even started. We are going up against a similar team (The Magic) and they are sitting second on the log (in the Western Cape stream),” Cardoso added.
The Magic have on their side former PSL player Thando Mngomeni, who’s now 36 and last played in the top-flight for Wits five years ago. They also confirmed the signing of ex-Chiefs left winger Andisiwe Mtsila a week ago. He was promoted from Chiefs’s youth team when Steve Komphela was still the head coach and released last year. See page 38
Cape Town City have only suffered two defeats in their last 12 outings and one of those losses was at the hands of Highlands Park.
The Lions of the North beat the Citizens 2-0 at Makhulong Stadium in a league clash in December and City’s other defeat was 1-0 to AmaZulu in their last match.
So, when City host Highlands at Cape Town Stadium tonight (8pm), this time in the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup, they have an opportunity to avenge last year’s loss.
City coach Benni McCarthy is relishing the challenge to come up against Owen Da Gama again and this time be on the winning side.
“It was a tough trip [to Tembisa] for us and not that I really want to make any excuses, but Highlands caught us on a different time and [tonight] will be completely the opposite,” warned McCarthy, who was speaking to the media ahead of the clash.
“We are an established team than what we were when we faced them the last time around. Nevertheless, it doesn’t stop the game from being an extremely difficult one,” said the former Bafana Bafana striker, whose charges are unbeaten at home in the last seven matches.
“Highlands are extremely competitive and it showed in their last game, so it’s going to be very tough on our boys. What you see on the statistics is that Highlands are a team that follows you everywhere.”
City will welcome back their top scorer Siphelele Mthembu with seven goals, who missed the match against AmaZulu because of an injury.
Da Gama, meanwhile, said there’s no pressure on his team to win in the Mother City.
“It’s all about these boys getting the experience and going to play another cup match,” said “Rubberdoll”, his nickname from his playing days.
“This is their first season in the PSL and the first time playing in the last 16, so they must just go out and enjoy it.”
Highlands are boosted by the return of Mothobi Mvala, who’s their top scorer with seven goals.
Mvala, who had picked up a knock at training, missed the 2-1 win over Bidvest Wits in a league outing last weekend.
Highlands are extremely competitive. It showed...