Morton braced for battle against Ubuntu

Ahead of their Nedbank Cup match against National First Division side Ubuntu Cape Town tonight, AmaZulu FC midfielder Michael Morton has admitted that playing lower division teams is much tougher than facing one from the Absa Premiership.

Usuthu host Ubuntu in a last16 match of Ke Yona at the King Zwelithini Stadium tonight and the former Orlando Pirates midfielder says they won’t take the NFD side lightly. And they will give everything to ensure they go through to the next round of the tournament.

“In my experience, NFD teams are tough and more resilient than other teams that you face in the Nedbank Cup. It is never easy against NFD teams. We are aware of the threat Ubuntu pose,” Morton (right) said.

“It does not matter how you get through to the next round. It does not matter how the game looks like or what kind of football you are playing. As a long as you advance to the next round. That’s all that matters,” he added.

With their cup campaign look- ing quite good, Morton adds that it is imperative for the team to do well in the Nedbank Cup, but their main objective is a good run in the league.

“A cup run is very nice for the club. That is why we will do our best against Ubuntu. The league is our main priority, but we will give it a good go in the cup as well,” he said.

Usuthu coach Cavin Johnson is not worried about playing a team from a lower division, saying they know what to expect from Ubuntu.

“We have watched them a few times ... maybe three or four times. We are aware that their American coach has just got his work permit and he will probably be on the bench this time. Maybe with him on the bench, they could be better or they could be worse,” said Johnson.

“This team has had good results in their last two or three games but you can’t really judge them on that because of the Under-23 rule. When you play the Nedbank, all those rules go out the window.”