Mabena oozes confidence
We will give our all, vows skipper
Bloemfontein Celtic captain Ndumiso Mabena has no doubts that Phunya Sele Sele have what it takes to stun favourites Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup final at Orlando Stadium tomorrow night (8pm).
Leading up to this match, both teams are high in confidence after accomplishing their respective league objectives.
Sundowns realised their dream of winning the championship, while Celtic fulfilled theirs of finishing in the top eight last week.
As the odds are seemingly against them, the 33-year-old Mabena is confident they can steal the Ke Yona Cup that carries a R7m cheque for the winners.
It’s Celtic’s first cup final since winning the Telkom Knockout by beating the same Brazilians in 2012.
Sundowns have been to at least three finals between 2012 and last year.
“We are determined to give our all. The confidence is high. I strongly believe we have the kind of players who can make sure we beat Sundowns. It’s going to be a big stage not only for me, but for all the Celtic players,” said Mabena.
During his Orlando Pirates days between 2009 and 2014, Mabena bagged several silverware, including two league titles and double MTN8 trophies.
However, winning the Nedbank Cup would be more special as it’d be his first trophy as a skipper and as a Celtic player after joining from the now defunct Platinum Stars in 2017.
“It’s an honour for me [to lead the team in the final] as a player, but then this wouldn’t have happened without my teammates and the technical staff... credit must go to the technical staff,” said Mabena.
By reaching the Nedbank Cup final, which guarantees them a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup next season, Celtic have defied the odds taking into consideration the financial hardships the club has been enduring in the recent seasons.
As the Nedbank Cup final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Bloemfontein Celtic takes centre stage at Orlando Stadium tomorrow night (8pm), we have identified three key battles that could decide the match.
Gaston Sirino v Sifiso Ngobeni
Sirino is not scared to take on any defender, and his main strength that usually leaves defenders in sixies and sevens, is switching flanks. However, Ngobeni, at left-back, has proven to be an astute player both defensively and offensively, meaning Sirino may be forced to track back and help in dealing with the skilful 23year-old.
Lucky Baloyi v Hlompho Kekana
While Kekana, 35, has been a shadow of his element self this season, struggling with form, Baloyi, who’s six years younger, has been a cog in the Phunya Sele Sele midfield. Both anchormen have big match temperament and vast experience to handle pressure. Kekana has lost many battles in the engine room this season and tomorrow he’d be eager to redeem himself and lead by example.
Motjeka Madisha v Ndumiso Mabena
Even Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has publicly acknowledged that Mabena is the player who usually give them all sorts of troubles, having netted five goals from 16 meetings he’s had with the Brazilians. Solid as a rock at his best, Madisha has been somewhat unreliable of late, committing a number of costly schoolboy errors. The battle between Mabena and Madisha is likely to be won by the best player on the day.