Ngcongca fires the first salvo

SUNDOWNS STAR: WE’LL SHOW CHAMPIONS’ MENTALITY

Michaelson Gumede

Anele Ngcongca has sent out a warning to Cavin Johnson and his AmaZulu side, who will welcome Mamelodi Sundowns tomorrow afternoon at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi.

The Brazilians are dusting themselves off from elimination from the Caf Champions League and MTN8 in the space of a week, and Ngcongca says Usuthu will face a Masandawana side that is out for vengeance.

“The problem now is that AmaZulu are getting a wounded Sundowns. If I were AmaZulu, I would prefer a relaxed Sundowns but now they are getting a team that has got fire in the belly and ice in the head,” said Ngcongca.

“It is now time to do less talking as Sundowns players and go out there and show champions’ mentality, because we are the champions of South Africa and we will do whatever it takes to win that game,” he added.

The former Bafana Bafana international believes that Johnson is unlikely to field seasoned campaigners such as Mabhuti Khenyeza, although he was at the forefront when Usuthu beat Downs 2-1 last season in Atteridgeville.

“The coaches showed us some clips of how coach Cavin has been doing this season. I think the guys will be ready and I believe we can go to Durban and win. I don’t think Cavin will play the experienced players because the legs are gone now,” said Ngcongca, before he went on to admit that AmaZulu won’t be easy customers.

“We know it won’t be an easy game and they are not going to give it to us on a plate. We need to work hard because they are playing at home, so they have the advantage.

“One thing I have learned is that the guys have done a good job away to AmaZulu in the past.”

He continued: “Whoever starts the game knows he will be carrying a lot of pressure because we all know what it feels like to be knocked out of two competitions in one week.

“We have got some anger, because it was something we did not expect, but it is part of football,” he said.