Tornado can whip up a big knockout blow

ABC Motsepe side out to boss Mqanduli United to qualify for last-32 of Cup

ABC Motsepe League defending champions Tornado are just one match away from qualifying for the Nedbank Cup last32 this season.

The Mdantsane-based outfit will have to take on the winner of the SAB League-Nedbank Cup playoffs, Mqanduli United, in Mthatha on Saturday.

Mqanduli United who are campaigning in the OR Tambo region SAB League, beat Young Challengers 5-0 and Roaring Tigers 4-2 on penalties at the Dumpy Adams Sports Field, in Komani over the weekend to qualify for the spot in the final showdown against Tornado.

Tornado assistant coach, Vuyisani Mangaliso, said they were expecting their less experienced opponents to bring their Agame and he did not want to sound overconfident just because they were facing an SAB League team.

“Our opponents will also be gunning for a win, so we won’t take them for granted when we go to Mthatha, because they are a formidable side that has worked hard to be in the final match.

“It’s going to be a tough game, we’ve watched them playing and we were impressed with what we saw and they can penetrate quickly if they are not closely monitored,” said Mangaliso. But although Mangaliso was wary of their opponents, he highlighted the importance of showing who’s the team playing in a bigger league.

“We cant’ just go there and score one goal – we have to hit them hard,” he said.

“Because we all know what’s at stake, and we want to go as far as we can in the Nedbank Cup. We are not only going to there collect the new jerseys’ the boys will take as a souvenir with their names on.”

It has been three seasons since Tornado last played in the Nedbank Cup, where they were beaten 3-0 by Orlando Pirates in East London and Mangaliso thinks they can do better this time round.

“We have good players with the relevant experience and we always try and train players to go the extra mile. And luckily for us we have players from EC Bees as well [who’s third-tier league was transferred to Bush Bucks Academy].

“Those players were playing the most recent Nedbank Cup against Mamelodi Sundowns [Bees lost 2-1]. You’d know players like Simphiwe “Shaka” Dlamini, Khanya Mini, and Teboho Moeti and other great players we have in the team.

“Those boys gave Sundowns a run for their money in front of the country.

“So we have the firepower we need to achieve our hopes with this cup tournament and best believe this team can compete anywhere,” said Mangaliso.

So we have the firepower we need to achieve our hopes with this cup