We want to rewrite the history for an NFD team in this Cup final
Defender banks on coach Malesela’s cup experience
If the enthusiasm and confidence TS Galaxy defender Terrence Mashego oozes ahead of the Nedbank Cup final against Kaizer Chiefs is anything to go by, then the Rockets will surely give Amakhosi a run for their money.
Galaxy and Chiefs face off in the Cup decider at the sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday (7pm). The Mpumalanga-based side intend to be the first National First Division outfit to lift the R7m trophy.
“We understand that Chiefs are a big team and we are playing in the NFD but with the quality we have in the team, I believe we can beat them,’’ said Mashego after a consuming training session at Panorama Sports Club in Roodepoort on the West Rand this week.
“We want to rewrite the history for an NFD team in the Nedbank Cup final and pave the way for the future. It’s good that we are not under any sort of pressure. The coach (Dan Malesela) has told us to go out there and enjoy our game.’’ The 23-year-old lad from Mamelodi in Tshwane banks on Malesela’s experience in the Ke Yona Cup. Malesela had previously guided Chippa United and United FC to the semifinals of this competition.
“Coach Dan knows how to do things in the Nedbank Cup and that is a huge plus for us. I regard him as a philanthropist because he is someone who is always willing to share his unique football knowledge. “He gives us courage to play a football match like we do in training… not to be scared. “Having met Chiefs during his days at Chippa, he has given us some information about them. So I can say we are ready.’’ The left-back, nicknamed “Marcelo”, thanks to his flair on the ball that mimics that of Real Madrid Brazilian wingback, has been nominated for the Most Promising Player Award in this tournament. For this gong, he’s pitted against Chiefs’ Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya and his teammate Zakhele Lepasa. “It’s not something I was expecting, but I really worked hard. So I would say I deserve to win it,’’ said the confident defender.