Witbank Spurs Coach Shakes Mashaba is under pressure to save his new team from relegation. Mashaba has confirmed that he spoke to the National First Division club’s management and asked to sign at least six players from the current Under 20 South African national squad to turn the team’s fortunes around.
Spurs take on ABSA Premiership club, Golden Arrows, in the round of 16 of the Nedbank Cup on Saturday afternoon.
The former Bafana Bafana coach is looking at his former understudy, the Amajita coach Thabo Senong to save Witbank Spurs from relegation.
With only ten matches to go, and his team second from the bottom of the log, Mashaba has a tough decision to make. Does he prioritise the lucrative Nedbank Cup or is staying in the NFD his major goal for the season?
Mashaba wants to reinforce his team with some new signings particularly players currently playing for Amajita at the under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Niger. However, his biggest challenge is to convince their respective clubs to release their young talent.
“I spoke to the chairperson of the team the CEO of the team, I said we need to talk to Thabo Senong, we need to snatch five or six players out of that team to come and strengthen this team,” says Mashaba.
Witbank Spurs is one of a number of lower division teams who made it into the round of 16 of the Nedbank Cup. One of the matches this weekend is between two NFD teams Jomo Cosmos and TS Galaxy on Sunday.
Galaxy, formerly Cape Town All Stars who were playing their trade in the ABC Motsepe League, are rookies in the NFD. But they have held their own in a more competitive league and are 10th on the log, while Cosmos are struggling in 12th place.
“We’ve been preparing in terms of the Nedbank, the league while resting some players for the Nedbank Cup using some so we can keep consistency in the league progression,” says Assistant Coach of Galaxy Thulani Nkosi.
Meanwhile, the goalkeeping merry go-round continues at Kaizer Chiefs. Amakhosi coach Ernst Middendorp revealed that he will give Bruce Bvuma a chance against third tier side, Magic FC. New goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi is not available while Virgil Vries will start on the bench.
“Virgil Vries didn’t grab his chance let’s make it very clear at that time that’s the reality and the fact but well take him a little bit out to protect the potential of Virgil Vries and we will see when he will play,” says Middendorp.
Two NFD sides are guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals, while Magic FC are the only surviving side from amateur ranks.
