Kaizer Chiefs’ last chance of ending their 10-year barren run rests on the Nedbank Cup, given that they are all but out of the race for the Premiership title.
But that’s easier said than done. They’ll face tough customers Stellenbosch FC in the quarter-finals at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday (6pm kick-off).
The two teams won their respective league matches on Tuesday by 1-0 score-lines, and Mihlali Baleka looks at what they can take to the game in Gqeberha...
Clean sheets
Chiefs No 1 Bruce Bvuma kept it tidy and neat at the back when they beat Magesi FC 1-0 at the FNB, keeping his first clean sheet since the 3-0 win over Chippa United in the last 16.
And having conceded five goals before Magesi’s visit, the recent clean sheet will serve as a huge morale-booster for Bvuma heading into a knockout game.
His counterpart Sage Stephens will echo the same sentiments. But moreover, he knows clean sheets are what will aid his chances of breaking into the final Bafana squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
On-form strikers
Sure, Chiefs won by a smaller margin against Magesi, but coach Nasreddine Nabi will be pleased with the impact of his attackers on the day.
Ashley du Preez came off the bench to score with his second touch of the ball, while Glody Lilepo continued with his fine start at the club, bagging another Player-of-the-Match award.
Goals have been few and far between for Stellies, but Ashley Cupido has been in form up front. As such, he scored his fifth goal of the league season in the 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants.
History
Chiefs remain the most successful team in the country’s premier football competition, with 13 titles to their names.
So, given that they want to end their trophy drought, they’ll be banking on the football gods to smile on them in the Nedbank Cup yet again this season.
However, Stellies also want to write their names in the history books by reaching the Nedbank Cup semi-final for the third time in a row. They could be joined by champions Orlando Pirates.
Hungry coaches
Nabi knows a thing or two about winning trophies. He won back-to-back doubles with Young Africans in Tanzania, including that country’s version of the Nedbank Cup.
And having lost in the final of the same competition with AS FAR last season, he’ll want to go all the way in South African football this season.
But that won’t be easy. His counterpart in the last eight, Steve Barker, also knows that winning the competition guarantees a spot in African football – via the CAF Confederation Cup – next season.
A family reunion
Chiefs have signed a couple of players from Stellies recently, including Du Preez, Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Zitha Kwinika. That’s why there will be a reunion of sorts in Gqeberha.
And amid that, Fawaaz Basadien has been rumoured to be wanted by Amakhosi – that’s why this game will also be a perfect platform for him to impress Nabi.
So often, players who are keen on moving on to greener pastures tend to take their games up a notch when they play against suitors and want to market themselves.