Edu who? We ’ ll see

THEIR captain’s nickname is “Caterpillar”, and the question mark tomorrow will be whether fourth-division Edu Sports really have the legs to creep past or even hold Kaizer Chiefs in their Nedbank Cup last-32 match at FNB Stadium.

Defender Samuel Monama said his nickname comes from being a hard worker. The connection seems tenuous, and Edu ’ s claim to the giant-killing act of the century with a group of unheralded players from the SAB League would seem as questionable.

The side coached by former Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns star Bricks Mudau are almost surprised to be in the last 32 at all. They progressed from the previous round with a disciplinary committee decision against African All Stars for crowd disruption.

“When we knew we would play Chiefs we were a bit shaky but understood that this is a great opportunity for us,” Monama said.

“Maybe they could spot some players from our team, and that would mean a lot to us.”

The one overriding factor in Sports ’ favour is their anonymity.

“I have to admit we don ’ t get the same intelligence on some of our cup opponents as we do against our PSL opponents,” Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter admitted. “We do have some stuff but it ’ s not very detailed. But I think our preparations have been to recuperate as best we can from the previous games. And to now try to make a rotational system that will both put some players who need rest on the sidelines, and players who are hungry to play and fresh on the field so we can be competitive.”

Mudau, who works for the club for free because they cannot afford to pay him, has tried to impart his playing experience on his wide-eyed youngsters ahead of the clash at the World Cup final venue.

“We are lucky we watch Chiefs play week in and week out, and we ’ ve tried to prepare the best we can for them,” he said.