University of Pretoria have not won a cup game since they gained promotion to the Premier Soccer League three years ago and coach Sammy Troughton warns his players to be cautious against struggling Moroka Swallows tomorrow night.
The two clubs meet in the first round of the Nedbank Cup at Tuks Stadium and kickoff is at 7.30pm.
"Swallows need respect, they have a lot of experience in their ranks and if you give them too much time and space they can punish you," said Troughton.
"We haven't done well in the cup over the last three years and it's about time we change that. So we want to give it a bit of a go."
This is the third successive year that AmaTuks play in an all-PSL tie in the first round of the Nedbank Cup, having lost last year to SuperSport United and in 2013 on penalties to Maritz- burg United.
In the last three Telkom Knockouts, they have lost in the first round to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2012 and last year, while Swallows beat them 1-0 in 2013. Chiefs hammered AmaTuks 3-0 in the first round of the MTN8 in 2013 in their only appearance in that competition.
It means that there have been six successive cup losses for the university team but competing in the knockout competition does offer players a welcome mental break from the pressure of the league, added Troughton.
"It does give a break from the pressure, especially for the bottom 10 in the log standings, who are all in some sort of potential danger. The relief from the weekly pressure of the league is good for the players and there is also the scope to make one or two changes and give one of two others a chance to play," he said, suggesting a few switches to a line-up that has not lost in their past six outings.
Since Troughton took over from Steve Barker in late November, AmaTuks have been beaten once in eight games.
l SuperSport host Polokwane City tomorrow night.
Be wary of swallows, Troughton warns AmaTuks
University of Pretoria have not won a cup game since they gained promotion to the Premier Soccer League three years ago and coach Sammy Troughton warns his players to be cautious against struggling Moroka Swallows tomorrow night.
The two clubs meet in the first round of the Nedbank Cup at Tuks Stadium and kickoff is at 7.30pm.
"Swallows need respect, they have a lot of experience in their ranks and if you give them too much time and space they can punish you," said Troughton.
"We haven't done well in the cup over the last three years and it's about time we change that. So we want to give it a bit of a go."
This is the third successive year that AmaTuks play in an all-PSL tie in the first round of the Nedbank Cup, having lost last year to SuperSport United and in 2013 on penalties to Maritz- burg United.
In the last three Telkom Knockouts, they have lost in the first round to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2012 and last year, while Swallows beat them 1-0 in 2013. Chiefs hammered AmaTuks 3-0 in the first round of the MTN8 in 2013 in their only appearance in that competition.
It means that there have been six successive cup losses for the university team but competing in the knockout competition does offer players a welcome mental break from the pressure of the league, added Troughton.
"It does give a break from the pressure, especially for the bottom 10 in the log standings, who are all in some sort of potential danger. The relief from the weekly pressure of the league is good for the players and there is also the scope to make one or two changes and give one of two others a chance to play," he said, suggesting a few switches to a line-up that has not lost in their past six outings.
Since Troughton took over from Steve Barker in late November, AmaTuks have been beaten once in eight games.
l SuperSport host Polokwane City tomorrow night.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos