ORLANDO Pirates must stop dreaming about defending the Nedbank Cup, Free State Stars' ace striker Edward "Hlokoloza" Manqele warned
Manqele will spearhead Stars' attack in their last-16 clash against Pirates at Orlando Stadium tomorrow. Kickoff is at 6pm.
Manqele is the Premiership's joint top scorer with 10 goals, level with Siyabonga Nomvethe and Katlego Mphela.
"We expect a tough match, but we would like to promise our supporters that we won't disappoint them. Stars will be in the quarterfinals, come Saturday 8pm," he said.
Pirates' defender Thabo "Festival" Matlaba is looking forward to winning his first game against his former club since leaving them during the January transfer window period.
"Stars were the first club that gave me a break in the professional ranks and that is something I will relish for the rest of my life, but I will temporarily forget about that on Saturday," Matlaba said.
"We need this trophy more than any other team. Our coach Augusto Palacios has been paying special attention to the defence at training and there is a tremendous improvement in closing the leaks.
"We did very well against Mamelodi Sundowns at the back (on Wednesday night)."
Palacios will be without the suspended Andile Jali and Rooi Mahamutsa, which should see Thandani Ntshumayelo and Lucky Lekgwathi back in the starting line-up.
Palacios, who has also coached Stars, is happy that he is succeeding in bringing stability to his defence.
- Winter Roses, who play Santos in the Nedbank Cup last-16 round at Botshabelo Stadium on Sunday at 3pm, want to be the history-makers of this popular tournament this season.
Roses, who are also challenging for promotion to the elite league from the National First Division, have warned Santos they have reached the end of the road in the tournament.
Owned by popular Free State businessman Max Tshabalala, Roses employ their players and technical staff members on a full-time basis, a rarity among non-professional clubs.
The team, formed three years ago by Tshabalala, a former Bloemfontein Celtic chief executive, is coached by former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper John Tlale.
"We've done our homework and are ready for Santos. It won't be easy but their campaign in this tournament will end on Sunday," Tshabalala said.
- AmaZulu are expected to easily brush aside NFD strugglers Witbank Spurs at Moses Mabhida Stadium tomorrow at 8.15pm.
Bucs will see stars, Manqele warns
ORLANDO Pirates must stop dreaming about defending the Nedbank Cup, Free State Stars' ace striker Edward "Hlokoloza" Manqele warned
Manqele will spearhead Stars' attack in their last-16 clash against Pirates at Orlando Stadium tomorrow. Kickoff is at 6pm.
Manqele is the Premiership's joint top scorer with 10 goals, level with Siyabonga Nomvethe and Katlego Mphela.
"We expect a tough match, but we would like to promise our supporters that we won't disappoint them. Stars will be in the quarterfinals, come Saturday 8pm," he said.
Pirates' defender Thabo "Festival" Matlaba is looking forward to winning his first game against his former club since leaving them during the January transfer window period.
"Stars were the first club that gave me a break in the professional ranks and that is something I will relish for the rest of my life, but I will temporarily forget about that on Saturday," Matlaba said.
"We need this trophy more than any other team. Our coach Augusto Palacios has been paying special attention to the defence at training and there is a tremendous improvement in closing the leaks.
"We did very well against Mamelodi Sundowns at the back (on Wednesday night)."
Palacios will be without the suspended Andile Jali and Rooi Mahamutsa, which should see Thandani Ntshumayelo and Lucky Lekgwathi back in the starting line-up.
Palacios, who has also coached Stars, is happy that he is succeeding in bringing stability to his defence.
Roses, who are also challenging for promotion to the elite league from the National First Division, have warned Santos they have reached the end of the road in the tournament.
Owned by popular Free State businessman Max Tshabalala, Roses employ their players and technical staff members on a full-time basis, a rarity among non-professional clubs.
The team, formed three years ago by Tshabalala, a former Bloemfontein Celtic chief executive, is coached by former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper John Tlale.
"We've done our homework and are ready for Santos. It won't be easy but their campaign in this tournament will end on Sunday," Tshabalala said.
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