Milano favourites, but wary of Thanda ‘banana peel’ slip

LEAGUE LEADERS Milano United take on bottom-placed Thanda Royal Zulu in a National First Division match at Athlone Stadium today, while the derby between FC Cape Town and Vasco da Gama will be played at Parow Park.

Unbeaten Milano should have little difficulty in making it eight wins from 10 starts as their Richards Bay-based opponents are currently enduring a shocking campaign.

It would take an under-par performance from the Cape side to allow Thanda a look-in. Milano will no doubt be upset if they don’t seal the three points on offer.

Thanda’s young and inexperienced squad have found the going tough this season, winning just once from nine games, leaving them at the foot of the table.

With their big-name players from previous campaigns having moved on and with coach Professor Mlungisi Ngubane replaced by his assistant, Ronnie Moroka, chances of the KwaZulu-Natal raiders coming away from Cape Town with a favourable result appear slim at best.

However, Milano coach Theo Hempe, isn’t taking the threat posed by the visitors lightly.

“Any team that feels it is superior to the other often comes off second best. We are one of those sides that does not take any team lightly.

“For sure, we are going to come into this game with the intention of winning.

“The form so far from the players and squad members has been good. We are unbeaten through nine rounds, but that doesn’t mean we are unbeatable.

“Far from it, for sure, but the players feel good about things and want to keep on moving forwards, improving every time they play and wanting to play as a team rather than as individuals – and to keep our loyal fans happy by playing the best we can every time for them,” he said.

It is sure to be all smiles for the home faithful.

Meanwhile, the Town-Vasco clash is sure to be a close affair between two sides who share the same venue (Parow Park) for home matches.

The odds will be in favour of seventh- placed Vasco taking the win, but with inconsistent form blunting their challenge to date, they could be in for a rude surprise.

Town, who won for the first time against hosts Blackburn Rovers (1-0) last time out, will be dead keen to make it a second three-pointer in a row and ease their relegation concerns.