FREE STADIUM ENTRY TICKETS UP FOR GRABS
Nie Cele
Football lovers and fans around the country are in for a feast of football matches this weekend that kicks-off this evening, thanks to Premier Soccer League Carling’s Cup Knockout competition set to ignite football corridors.
Top on the list struggling Amazulu FC are set to lock horns tonight with high-flying defending champions Stellenbosch FC at King Zwelithini Stadium with the match starting at 19h00.
Football pundits have predicted an easy walk on the plank for Stellies given that Usuthu have lost all their three Betway PSL opening matches and they are languishing at the bottom of the log while Stellies have amassed four points after one win and one draw.
A much anticipated match will be between Cup Kings of the current time, Orlando Pirates against newly promoted Magesi FC at Orlando Stadium,tomorrow afternoon.
This Limpopo outfit has won one and drawn one out of their four opening matches and they are occupying 12th position on the Betway Premier Soccer Log standings.
The buccaneers have convincingly won all their three opening matches and are fresh from lifting their third consecutive MTN8 cup in Durban just two weeks ago.
During a briefing held at the sponsors headquarters in Bryanston , Bucs Gaffer, Jose Riviero was buoyant and confident and told a packed media his charges have long prepared to deal with this difficult season one more time.
“Our preparation is constantly reinforced. This is our fourth cup competition in two and half months.
We have the same intention like the other ones.This competition is not an exceptional. Hopefully we will go to the last stages of the tournament and that’s our intention.
“We have solutions within the squad it’s not headache we have quality to replace injured players the only headache is always the same to find a starting eleven in a squad of the 39 players.
“Fact that Olisa Ndah will not be around for a long time is something that we cannot change. We have to find a way to be a team that is not dependable on one or two players. Our mind is in the players who are available.
We are not far from the place we stopped two weeks ago. We try to play the same type of football with the same mentality.”
“It’s a normal scenario for us. Every game is a must win game. We know it’s going to be complicated, their coach is experienced and knows the space he is going to be on Saturday.
“Its’ a team with a combination of players, We are prepared and we know anything is possible in 90 minutes. We know it’s not going to be an easy game it’s a knockout game and they have young players who would like to prove themselves we respect Magesi a lot we don’t need anybody to tell us how difficult its’ going to be .It’s a knockout game We know one of the team is going to be in the next round that’s the way we approach every game.”
Six coaches spoke to the media ahead of their opening matches.
Visibly agitated, Mamelodi Sundowns FC coach, Manqoba Mngqithi raised eyebrows when he lambasted Bafana Bafana Coach Hugo Broos for his recent questioning of the constant sidelining of Bafana brace hero Teboho Mokoena in AFCON qualifier match against Congo.
A bellicose Mngqithi who arrived very late and apologised, said Themba Zwane was going to be out of action for a possible 4-6 months after incurring partial rapture injury during the away Bafana Bafana match against Congo in Brazzaville.
“ Clinically they said, it’s a grade three injury,” he explained.
“No man Bruce is just talking, he must manage his house and allow me to manage my house. Because Nobody tells him who to play in his team. And I cannot be expected to be told by another coach who to play in my team. The truth is we all know the quality players and they are going to help us we don’t have any problems with them we have resolved whatever minor issues we had. But each man for his family we must take care of our spaces. Nobody says anything when he plays eight defenders. We keep quite, Because it’s his choice and we keep quite and I respect him. He must understand we have a responsibility to manage our own squads just like he manages his own squad.
“The best thing that could ever happen is for him to call me or for us where we can have a call where we talk about our situations because I never say why you select that player and not that player and I don’t expect another coach to do that . Maybe administrators have a bit of a right to say that.
“He has done well for the country and achieved Bronze I do want to give him a call each man for his own family we must take care of our spaces. I respect him as a coach. I am sure he will call me. No one is bigger than anyone we are both coaches
Regarding the upcoming match against his former club Lamontville Golden Arrows FC, he said.
“ I have a lot of respect for Arrows they are an extension of my family, they gave me the opportunity to coach at the highest level, l always feel indebted to them they contributed so much in my life and family but we have a responsibility to play a crucial match they are still a dangerous team on transitions.
“It’s not going to be an easy match it’s a team that can hurt you, I see a lot of transitions they have very influential players. It’s a complex game the best way to contain the situation better would be counter pressures, better rest defence and general organization behind the ball will do better.”
Egolijozinews, M Sports Marketing and Carling Black Label are running a ticket competition for lucky fans.
To win a pair of stadium entry complimentary tickets for a game between Orlando Pirates and Magesi FC at Orlando Stadium and the one between Mamelodi Sundowns vs Lamontville Golden Arrows FC at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Answer the following question and send your answer with your name and contact detail to egolijozinews@gmail.com
Carling Knockout is brought to you by Premier Soccer League and Champion Beer …………………………………………………..?
PLEASE NOTE TICKETS ARE LIMITED AND THE COMPETITION IS RUN ON FIRST COME FIRST SERVE.
