More than a name at stake in Limpopo derby

TSHAKHUMA Tsha Madzivhandila are still on course to defend their Nedbank Cup title as they host local rivals Marumo Gallants at Thohoyandou Stadium in tonight’s semifinal (7pm kick-off).

TTM head coach Lucky Nelukau expressed his optimism about facing his former employers Gallants as his players look sharp and motivated, plus with the added boost of him knowing the playing personnel of their opponents.

“We are ready for Gallants, so I hope they’re ready for us as well. I see the looks on my players’ faces at training and I can tell they’re really positive and want to bring this cup back home,” he said.

“I’m very aware of their playing style. As you may know, I signed 95% of the players at Gallants, so their style of play is very similar to ours.”

Tshakhuma, as odd as it may sound, have been the surprise package this season. Even though the Limpopo-based club are currently two places above the relegation zone in the GladAfrica Championship, with an outside chance of still getting the chop, their form in the Nedbank Cup has been in stark contrast to their patchy league campaign.

They have played some of the competition’s most entertaining football, grabbing the scalps of Premiership sides Golden Arrows and SuperSport United along the way.

Nelukau laughed off the fact that Gallants, who played under the name of TTM last season, feel as if they’re the defending Nedbank Cup champions, with the bulk of the squad that won it last season on the books of ‘Bahlabane Ba Ntwa’.

“We are the defending champions, the name on the cup is Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, so we are the defending champions and we will defend it again. But we have to win this ‘final before the final’ match against Gallants.”

Dan Malesela and his Gallants side will be seeking some improvements in their ranks.

It’s no secret that Gallants, also from Limpopo, play a specific brand of football, but their recent form in front of goal is uninspiring.

Gallants have scored just two goals in six matches in all competitions, a return they will hope to improve on against a leaky TTM outfit.

This enticing Limpopo derby has all the makings of a classic, with two entertaining teams with a chip on their shoulders in front of an expected sell-out crowd, with a huge trophy on the line.

The winners will face either Mamelodi Sundowns or Royal AM in the final.