Despite being on top of their game in the Absa Premiership, Mamelodi Sundowns is aware of the threat posed by teams from the lower divisions. The former CAF Champions League champions are visiting National First Division Cape Town All at Athlone Stadium on Friday evening. Nine other last-32 matches in the Nedbank Cup will be played this weekend.
Sundowns look unstoppable as they bid for another league title this season. However, their cup form this season has been less impressive. The Brazilians bombed out in the first rounds of both the MTN-8 and the Telkom Knockout.
They are determined to give their all in the Nedbank Cup, the last available knockout trophy of the season.
“We would really love to progress to the next stage but then it’s not going to be easy we know and the teams they push us, I’m very confident that the guys will work more harder than them and then we will grind the results”, said Sundown’s Percy Tau.
Meanwhile, ABC Motsepe side Swallows FC want to prove their mettle against premiership side Maritzburg United in Dobsonville on Saturday.
“Yes I think this one is the right platform especially for the boys from the ABC Motsepe. What I like at this moment I just want to show some of the coaches from the PSL and even First Division that there is a lot of talent in the ABC Motsepe,” said Swallows F.C Coach, Isaac Mphasane.
On the other hand the last-32 draw was not very kind to Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. Bucs will host Ajax Cape Town on Saturday night, the side that humiliated them 3-nil in the league last Wednesday.
“We expect to play against a very good team. My dear colleague Muhsin Ertugral that has been this side where I’m seating now and he knows our team very well. However, a new match there’s always a new challenge, we are eager and waiting for Saturday to come to enjoy our game and to heal the souls of our supporters,” said Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic.
On Sunday Amakhosi will welcome the unpredictable Golden Arrows.
“Every time there’s a cup competition for Chiefs you have to throw your weight. We would love to win it and it does not only come through wishes we have to work hard for it. We facing an Absa premiership team in as much as profiling is going to be easy but the competition becomes stiffer,”said Kaizer Chiefs Coach Steve Komphela.
In another first round fixture involving two PSL clubs, the struggling SuperSport United will visit Bloemfontein Celtic on Sunday.
