Nie Cele
Itumeleng Masite
It’s an open secret that in modern day’s football prognostic prediction about the winner can be made at your own peril. Its even worse when it’s a cup game as both teams up their game to lift the coveted trophy and the bonus prize money.
But in the Saturday Shell Helix Ultra cup rival match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, spin doctors of both teams have put their heads on the block by predicting in their favour.
Both teams are on form in their PSL runs, But Sundowns are favourites for having won the inaugural cup last year.
At a recent press briefing, Vina Maphosa of Chiefs with tongue in cheek, told the media that his outfit will leave celebratory atmosphere to the pitch.
“We will prove that we don’t win on penalties . A lot of things need to be sorted on the pitch for the day. Our throngs of supporters will be at the stadium on time as usual, unlike Sundowns supporters who have a tendency to come to the stadium when we are 3-0 up.
We are ready to rumble and entertain our supporters. We can’t wait to beat Downs. Beating them will give our supporters a big smile. “
Maphosa also stressed that they will use the game to keep up the winning momentum they are currently enjoying in the league in order to continue winning in the same vein when the league resumes.
Downs motormouth, Alex Shakoane also urged the supporters to buy tickets early and in bulk.
“We are creators of prime time and masters of the game. At Downs we know nothing about friendly matches. Whoever play on the day is a professional chosen by an expert. Our players have mastered the skill of hiding football from their opponents. On the day we will hide the ball from them they will not get it easily.”
Mr Goldfinger as he is affectionately known also teased Chiefs for not having a CAF star and argued that they have done tremendous work to be number one in Africa in 2016 when they won CAF champions league .
“There is nothing exciting like beating Chiefs. After beating them it will take us 7 hours to reach Tshwane because we will be celebrating intermittently. We urge our supporters to sit in their designated zones and not mix with Chiefs fans.
“When playing Chiefs we just polish our way of doing things. It will up to them to counteract us . They will never master our way of doing things. We play great polite football,” He said.
Meanwhile players of both teams were diplomatic about the outcome of the game. Kabelo Mahlasela, Chiefs midfielder told this reporter he was ready to play even given a chance.
“We are a team that plays good football and determined to win this one.”
His opponent Lucky Mohomi, of Sundowns was also cagey and polite about the outcome.
“At Downs we have that mentality that every trophy belongs to us. It’s in our genes.”
