50% prize-cash incentive for Baroka
● Club agrees to split money earned in side’s first major cup final
Baroka FC players and technical team have been promised half of the prize money whether they win or finish runners-up in the Telkom Knockout final against Orlando Pirates at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
Baroka boss Khurishi Mphahlele confirmed that the club would go 50-50 with the players and the technical team regardless of the result in their first major cup final appearance, against the Buccaneers.
The Telkom Knockout winners will pocket a whopping R4m while the losing finalists will take home R1.5m to add to the R250,000 participation fee given to all the clubs.
“We have agreed with the players and the technical team that we will go 50-50‚” Mphahlele said.
“They have done well to reach the final and it shows we are heading in the right direction. When I see the team play‚ I can see we are progressing well and this is proved by the fact that we are in the final.
“Playing in the final with the whole country watching will be good for the confidence of the players for the remainder of the season and also for our brand.”
Mphahlele praised coach Wedson Nyirenda for the sterling work he has done at the club since the beginning of the season and challenged the side to maintain the momentum as the league campaign is approaching the business end.
The transfer window opens in January and Mphahlele said they had already boosted their squad with the acquisition of 30-year old attacking midfielder and Zimbabwe international Rodwell Chinyengetere from FC Platinum.
“We have already signed Rodwell from Zimbabwe and I am expecting to make a few more acquisitions during the transfer window‚” he said.
“The area of focus is scoring goals and we need one more striker who can score goals regularly.
“We are happy with the contribution that our attackers like Onkabetse Makgantai‚ Ranga Chivaviro and others are making but we are always looking to strengthen.
“I am excited about the future but first up is this final.”
The sponsors will have the following activations in the build-up to Saturday’s game:
A Z’khipha more Festival that will be held at the Young Romans Sports Grounds, in Salamntu Street, Zwide, on Thursday (10am to 5pm).
The public will enjoy a family-friendly environment, including food stalls, a kids’ corner with face painting and jumping castles, and local DJs.
Fans will also have an opportunity to meet some of SA’s legends of soccer such as Jerry Sikhosana, Phumudzo Manenzhe, Aaron Mokoena, Matthew Booth and Siphiwe Mkhonza, as well as win spot prizes that include match-day tickets, cash vouchers and other giveaways.
The soccer legends will also appear at KwaNobuhle Mall and Ziyabuya Mall in KwaDwesi on Friday (10am to 5pm).
Rap star Kwesta will perform at the final. – TimesLIVE