Ayihlome, Arrows naMaZulu!
Key players from KZN interior clash in AmaZulu-Chiefs tie
AMAZULU winger Jabulani Ncobeni has vowed to win the “Battle of the Midlands” when Usuthu come up against Kaizer Chiefs in the first round of the Telkom Knockout at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban tonight (kick-off 8.15pm)
There will be five players who hail from the Midlands when Usuthu tackle Amakhosi as they bid to reach their first cup final since 2010 when they lost 3-0 to Bidvest Wits in the final of the Nedbank Cup.
Ncobeni, who is from Petermaritzburg, will come up against Philani Zulu, from Mphophomeni in Howick, and Ryan Moon, Dumsani Zuma and Wiseman Meyiwa from Pietermaritzburg.
In AmaZulu’s line-up there is Ncobeni, Sduduzo Dlamini and Mabhudi Khenyeza who all hail from the Midlands.
“Of course, Chiefs can’t be taken for granted,” Ncobeni explained.
“But we are well prepared for the match. Our objective is to reach the quarter-finals. This is more like our home game. I didn’t play with Meyiwa, but we played together with Philani at Maritzburg United. Du (Zuma) was at Real Kings and I was at Sobantu Shooting Stars at that time.
“We used to come up against each other a lot and I still speak with Philani. We were joking with him earlier during the week and he told me not to come on his side.”
The KZN Midlands has a history of producing top quality talent with the likes of Mbulelo “Old John” Mabizela, Sandile “AK-47” Ndlovu, Andile “Sguda” Cele, Michael “Bhiza” Dlamini, Bryce “Snege” Moon, Shane Morrison, Shaun Potgieter, Siphesihle Ngobese and Simphiwe Mbambo all from the area.
“Playing against people you know always gives you an extra motivation,” Ncobeni said.
“They all want to win and I also have the same mission. It will be a nice game for us as Midlands boys. We will be representing Midlands and there will be at least five of us. It is a good thing.
“Philani is operating as the left-back and I’m a winger. If I play there will be moments when we will come up against each other.”
Zulu has done well since taking over from the injured Tsepo Masilela at left-back for Chiefs.
“I know his strengths and weaknesses and the same applies for him,” Ncobeni elaborated with a smile.
“It will be 50/50 and I think I will come out on top. He is a defender and I’m the attacker. He has to marshall me more.”
Ncobeni will also face his former teammate in Khotso Malope. Together they helped Thanda Royal Zulu win the National First Division championship last season.
“We chat with the guys on WhatsApp,” Ncobeni explained. “But on match day our friendship is on hold. We are all at work and we will resume our friendship after the match.”
Usuthu have already pulled off surprise victories over the likes of Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns in the PSL this season. Will it be third time lucky for Usuthu? Ncobeni reckon so.
“Whenever we play Chiefs, Sundowns or Pirates we don’t need extra motivation from the coach. You can tell from the buzz at training.
“You always have to give 120 percent when you play Chiefs. Having said that though, it doesn’t mean we should relax when we play small teams.
“We so want to reach the next stage of the competition, and we will give our best in this match,” Ncobeni insisted.
Golden Arrows and Orlando Pirates, meanwhile, may be in the respective second and third positions on the Absa Premiership table, but league form counts for little as these two clubs prepare to face off in the knockout competition at Princess Magogo Stadium this afternoon (kick-off 3.30pm).
Arrows, in the midst of one of their finest season starts in many a year, will be keen to set the record straight after being eliminated by Pirates in the first round of last year’s competition.
Since first facing Arrows in the Telkom Knockout back in 2010, Pirates have won all four matches but go into the game off the back of a slight speed wobble which has seen them draw their last three league encounters.
Football revolves off the back of confidence and the Buccaneers will be desperate to see the ball against the back net of the Arrows goal, after playing to a goalless draw against Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby last Saturday.
For Pirates to be in with a chance, they need their midfield to be able to dominate for a lengthy period of 70 minutes or more, but the ask is a tough one against an Arrows team that is renowned for giving their opponents very little time on the ball and space to move.
The Pirates defence in front of goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands has looked a far improved unit after a disappointing 2016/2017 campaign on all fronts.
The Buccaneers will have worked out that the road to a cup win is a much shorter route to success than the marathon race towards around 62 points (potentially 19 wins and five draws) to lift the Absa Premiership title.
Pirates hold a proud record of not having lost in the first round of the Telkom Knockout since going down on penalties to Benoni Premier United 10 years back. In all matches played against Arrows in Durban, Pirates have outscored their opponents 30-14.