Meshack Motloung

Meshack Motloung

Kaizer Chiefs midfield ace Simphiwe Tshabalala is bound to inspire his team to victory when they strive to take a step further to the Nedbank Cup this weekend.

Tshabalala, motivated by his display in the Bafana Bafana game against Paraguay when he scored his first goal for the national team, said he was delighted because his goal drought was now over.

He said this ahead of their cup game against Mamelodi Sundowns, whom they meet in the last-16 stage of the competition at Kings Park Stadium in Durban on Sunday at 5pm.

"We beat Sundowns in the final of the Telkom Cup and we're going for the second trophy because the league is now out of our reach," he said.

He added that he was inspired by the goal he scored in Bafana Bafana's 3-0 win over Paraguay on Wednesday.

Goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune said their game against Sundowns was a repeat of the Telkom final and that he would be alert at all times.

"It's going to be the battle of the titans but we have to win this one at all costs. They are also not in contention for the league championship and would like to end the season on a high note, so they'll be coming for us."

Zimbabwean international defender Onismor Bhasera said the spirit was high among the players and they needed to score and not concede any goals.

"We've got to make sure that we convert our chances and that we don't underrate our opponents. Sundowns are a good side and have excellent players which we need to guard against.

"As I see it, both sides are going to have a 50--50 chance which is going to make this encounter very exciting," he said.

Sundowns have already sounded their own warning through the likes of Peter Ndlovu, Bryan Aldave and Shere Lekgothoane after Sowetan canvassed their opinions at their training session.

For fans this is bound to be a sizzler of a match.