Nie Cele
In a random informal snap survey conducted by this publication around the perimeters of Soweto where a majority of fans are either supporting or associated with Orlando Pirates and their arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
Scores of football lovers have unanimously picked the Buccaneers as favourite to lift the coveted MTN8 final trophy this evening.
BACK TO THE STORY!!! In a quest to win and lift the MTN8 coveted trophy three times in a row, Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates will have to sweat and overcome the on form Stellenbosch FC at a sold out Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban this evening.
This thrilling encounter has set tongues wagging in every corner of the country, with most pundits arguing the Buccaneers will emerge victors by virtue of their past on form in past cup finals and having acquired a cup pedigree following the lifting of this trophy in the past two seasons.
Stellenbosch FC Head Coach, Steve Barker is on record arguing on the club’s website, they hope to create history for the club by lifting the MTN8 trophy this evening.
Speaking to the media ahead of this clash, Barker revealed that it has been a long-held ambition for him to make history for the club by winning the competition as a coach, after previously lifting the trophy in its previous incarnation during his playing days.
“When we got promoted many years back, in our first season in the top flight, I said, the MTN8 is the one,” he said.
It’s a competition that I’ve always wanted to be involved in as a coach, because as a player I won it in 1995 when it was still the BP Top 8, so it is a special trophy to win.
“It’s an easy season tournament and winning it would give confidence for the rest of the season, a trophy and medals for the players, and good financial reward, so it would be a good start to win the MTN8.
“Pirates have had that experience over the last two seasons, and they’re going for a third which is a magnificent opportunity for them to make history, but we want to create our own history by lifting the trophy.
“It’s not often that you get the opportunity to play in finals,” he added.
“We did recently, about six or seven months ago, so to be in another final is exciting, not only for me but also for the players and the club.
“Everyone is looking forward to embracing the challenge that lies ahead. We had that taste of victory and I think that taste of success has put the players in a really good space in terms of approaching the game with the right levels of commitment and desire against a really good team.
“The experience gained from that will stand us in good stead. The players will have experienced playing in a final and that does not carry over.”
Bucs Captain, Innocent Maela told Journalists at the Rand Stadium, they had good moments in the past when playing at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“Durban has always been good to us. We hope this Saturday will be the same.”
Pressed about his Coach’s responsibilty, He said, “We knew from the first day that we have the best coach. Its been a good journey so far.”
Bucs Midfielder, Deon Hotto, said, “ I don’t think there is pressure. The only thing is just to get our mindset right for the match on the day. It ‘s always a privileged playing for Pirates it’s a team that is always fighting for trophies every season That is just a chemistry around the team. We understand the coach’s assignment adding that to win it will be something very amazing third time in a row and no team has ever achieved that feat.
“It’s something that we can cherish for the rest of our lives. We just need to be focused and move together as a team. We definitely need to get this one. We just need to be on our toes, our minds must be in the game.”
Bucs Gaffer. Jose Riviero told the media he knew from the first moment he took over the coaching reigns at the club that the club represents massive amounts of people. “ That’s enough to understand the responsibility of the task. Huge amount of people are in interested in what we do.
“We are not in control of results, we are giving our all, our best, we are competing with teams that wants the same things we want. But we are in control of our professionalism, dedication, behaviour and performance.
“We respect them we faced them 4 times in the past, we beat them once we know very well what it means to play Stellenbosch. It took 94 minutes to beat them.
“We know how aggressive they are.”
Riveiro, also revealed, the motivation was good going to the final with this group. We know the level of our opponents
It’s a final and a different game of high emotions It’s a third different opponents we know the difficulty of the task to win. Its going to be a tough game We need to be resilient during the 90 minutes or 120 minutes nothing decided until the last whistle.
“We have to accept Stellenbosch the way they are we respect them big time it’s going to be a game where we are going to be permanently under threat.we know how aggressive they are running forward.
We are going to be on the ball and in possession the threat is always going to be there. It important not to panic.
We have to trust in ourselves and our football. And have the capacity to neutralise the strength of the opponents. We are going to be on the ball. Coaching staff have the influencing of what we get.”
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