Leopards stalk Usuthu, buoyed by win over Arrows
Hlongwane eyes another big scalp
Black Leopards midfielder Lifa Hlongwane feels that their 2-1 victory over Golden Arrows should be a warning to others that they should not be underestimated any more.
Leopards stunned high-riding Arrows on Tuesday in Durban in a DStv Premiership match to end their five-game losing streak.
As they prepare to host another KZN side in the in-form AmaZulu in the Nedbank Cup second round at Thohoyandou Stadium tomorrow (3pm), Hlongwane said there is belief in the team that they can beat anyone.
“Remember, we beat Orlando Pirates when no one gave us a chance. We almost beat Kaizer Chiefs after we led 2-0 only to concede two late goals, and we matched Mamelodi Sundowns pound for pound only to lose late,” Hlongwane said.
“Kosta Papic has instilled the confidence in the team that we can win every match.
“Papic only wants to win... His game is demanding, and we attack with pace. He told us not to focus on other teams but to focus on ourselves, on what we can do.”
AmaZulu are on a good run, having won three of their past five matches and drawn two, but that form is not a concern for Hlongwane.
“It’s a tricky game but now we are focusing on ourselves to win each game we are playing, to move away from the bottom and go far in the Nedbank Cup. Arrows are also on a good run but we managed to beat them. This is football. Anything can happen.
“Our focus is not only on the league but also on the cup competition as well. Once you start winning games, the confidence grows.”
Usuthu striker Lehlohonolo Majoro said they want to continue with their momentum as they look to go far in this competition.
“With them winning on Tuesday, I think it is a confidence booster, and again with a new coach coming in, obviously every player will have an opportunity to prove himself,” Majoro said.
Fixtures
Today: CPT All Stars v CPT Spurs, Parow Park Stadium (3pm); Tshakhuma v Swallows, Peter Mokaba Stadium (6pm). Tomorrow: Leopards v AmaZulu, Thohoyandou (3pm); Maritzburg v Pirates, Harry Gwala Stadium (6pm)
Sunday: TS Sporting v Richards Bay, Mbombela (3pm); Pretoria Callies v JDR Stars, Lucas Moripe Stadium (3pm); Chippa United v Cape Town City, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (6pm).