Magic captain aims to put spell on Chiefs

The Magic captain Tshepiso Tlhapi has a special reason for wanting to do well in Sunday’s Nedbank Cup last-16 clash against Kaizer Chiefs he is a former Orlando Pirates player.

Tlhapi‚ a junior international‚ used the surname Tshabalala earlier in his career and featured for Pirates in the 2007/08 season before playing for Bloemfontein Celtic and Thanda Royal Zulu. At the age of 32‚ he is relishing the opportunity to face Amakhosi in the twilight of his career.

“I have played with some of the Chiefs players before‚ I was with Itumeleng Khune for the national Under-23 side. I also played against Chiefs in the Telkom Charity Cup when I was at Pirates‚” Tlhapi says.

“Some of us like Thando Mngomeni have played Chiefs before and we have been telling the other guys not to be scared. It is the same as facing any other team‚ just put in the hard work and focus.”

Tlhapi says the players have put in extra effort in training in order to be selected for what is the biggest game in the club’s history. “All the guys are putting in the hard work at training and we are looking forward to it‚” he says. “It comes down to each and every player‚ everyone has their own objective.”

Tlhapi adds that while his team will take heart from the struggle Chiefs had in beating Tornado FC in extra-time in the last round‚ it will likely refocus Ernst Middendorp’s side to the task at hand.

“What Tornado did we know we can do it. But Chiefs will also know that it will not be easy against us after that Tornado experience. I think they will put more effort into this game. But the longer it takes for them to score against us‚ the more frustrated they will get. That could be key.”