United-Pirates finale points to epic battle
Baxter eyes grand send off, Kjell a first PSL trophy
On one side there is a coach who wants to finish his tenure on a high, and on the other side there is a coach who has an opportunity to win a first title in the PSL.
The Nedbank Cup final between SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium tomorrow (8.15pm), which is a repeat of last year’s finale in Polokwane, has the potential to be a classic.
Stuart Baxter’s players want to give him a good send off at SuperSport while Kjell Jonevret would love to give beleaguered Pirates supporters something to smile about after many months of pain.
Pirates would benefit whether they win or lose this final. If they win, then it would end a horrific season with silverware in the cabinet, but the issue is that they could think all is well when there are still many areas that need to be fixed.
A defeat would give them a wake-up call because changes are needed in their squad.
Pirates last played a competitive match on May 27, while SuperSport played TP Mazembe in the CAF Confederation Cup on Tuesday.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for us. They [SuperSport] have played a lot of competitive matches and we have played friendlies. The players have been waiting so much for this. I was worried if we can keep the pace up for four weeks, but the players have been focused and I think we are prepared enough,” said Jonevret.
“I know it’s good to play every week, but I think we have prepared well. This is a chance to do something positive and save the season. The good thing is that I have everybody fresh and we have no injuries.”
Baxter was in charge when Matsatsantsa beat Pirates 3-2 last year, but he believes this will be a totally different final.
“Every cup final lives its own life. The fact that Pirates have not had the greatest season [means nothing], you still know that they are capable of beating anybody in the league,” said Baxter.
“We’ve got to think about our performance, to be sharp and do things that we know we can do well. If we get off to a good start, we can go on to win the game.
It would be fitting for Aubrey Modiba to get his first professional winners’ medal in the Nedbank Cup.
It was just a little over two years ago when the 21-year-old was spotted in the Nedbank Cup Ke Yona team search.
He will now become the first player from the programme to play in the knockout competition final when his club SuperSport United take on Orlando Pirates at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium tomorrow night (8.15pm).
“It’s a dream to be in the final because you can’t just play football for fun.
“You need to play to win things, so I hope we win at the end of the day and have something for ourselves,” said the player who is nicknamed Postman.
“I am going to be the first Ke Yona team search player to be in the final. It will mean a lot to me if we win it.
“We are also looking at making history by becoming the first team to win the Nedbank Cup twice in a row.
“It would also be great for me to play against the Ke Yona team search players, so I am looking forward to that.”
The champions will play against this year’s Ke Yona team search winners early next season.
Modiba, who played against TP Mazembe in the CAF Confederation Cup on Tuesday, joined SuperSport on transfer deadline day in August last year from Cape Town City.
He did not play in the Telkom Knockout final which SuperSport lost to City late last year, but he’s hoping to feature this time round.
The versatile player has a good chance of starting the final tomorrow after left-back Onismor Bhasera was taken off with an injury against Mazembe.
‘‘ I am going to be the first Ke Yona team search player to be in the [Nedbank] final