Mbenyane devastated to miss Nedbank Cup final
Chippa United’s longest-serving player, Andile Mbenyane, has opened up about his bitter disappointment at missing the Nedbank Cup final against TTM at the Bloemfontein Stadium tomorrow (6pm).
The 33-year-old forward sustained a hamstring injury eight weeks ago during their goalless league draw against Cape Town City and has been out of action since.
Though he started training with the team this week, he will not be fit enough to play in the club’s historic game tomorrow.
The Paarl-born player joined the Chilli Boys in 2009 from Ajax Cape Town, and has stuck with the team throughout its ups and downs.
“I am just done with my rehab now and I have started training with the squad, but I won’t be able to play in the final because of fitness and other stuff,” Mbenyane said.
“I would have liked to play in the final and lift that trophy with my teammates.
“It really hurts me that I won’t be able to be part of such a historic moment for the club, an opportunity I have been looking forward to for a very long time in my life and career.
“This would have been my first-ever cup final in the PSL.
“I have won a trophy like the Telkom Cup with Ajax Cape Town, though I was not playing because I had an injury on that occasion as well.
“Playing in the Nedbank Cup would have been a huge thing for me with Chippa United, because I have lifted many other trophies with Chippa United in the GladAfrica Championship.
“I am very hurt, but then again, that is how our job because you never know when you’ll be injured.”
Mbenyane gave his full support to his teammates and is confident they are capable of getting the job done.
“I have hope we will lift that trophy and come back with it to the Eastern Cape, because we really need it.
“We have at times finished in the semifinals of this competition, but making it to the final I think the Lord is also on our side.”
Mbenyane said he would still be travelling with the team as he wouldn’t want to miss out on the club’s success.
He said he was hoping to return to action soon.
“Maybe I’ll be able to play in the last two games because now I am focusing on my fitness so that I get back strong.
“I was out for about eight weeks and now it’s like preseason for me, but towards the end of the season.
“It doesn’t look good, but I have to keep on pushing so that maybe I can play the last two games and help the club.”
Chippa beat Pretoria Callies 1-0 in the semifinals of the Nedbank Cup to book themselves a place in their first-ever cup final in the elite league.