Meshack Khotha
Meshack Khotha
National First Division inland stream side University of Pretoria are after the scalp of yet another Premiership side, Bloemfontein Celtic, in the Nedbank Cup.
Steve Barker's side upset the applecart in the last-16 phase of this lucrative tournament when they beat Kaizer Chiefs 4-3 at Super Stadium a fortnight ago.
Now AmaTuks host Celtic in the quarterfinals at the University of Pretoria at 8.15pm on Saturday.
Speaking to Sowetan yesterday, AmaTuks linkman Aubrey Ngoma said though they were positive they can win on Saturday, it will not be easy against the Free Staters.
They expect Phunya SeleSele to take the match to them from the onset, but he feels coach Barker will have a plan to counter them.
"After our rigorous training this week, everybody is razor sharp and well conditioned. We are all ready for this match," said a determined Ngoma. "Our coach has warned the players not treat this game differently. Instead we must stick to our normal basics and enjoy ourselves.
"The mood in the camp is positive. All the players have vowed to prove Gauteng is the home of champions by scalping our opponents and booking a berth in the semifinals."
He added that there was extra motivation in playing against a PSL team. The Pretoria side will be without suspended captain Obed Moyo.
Phunya SeleSele will be buoyed by their exciting 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates in Bloemfontein last weekend. Celtic spokesperson Sello Nduna said they respected their opponents.
"It is not going to be an easy game because they are quite a remarkable side. Knowing how unpredictable cup games are, we are not going to underestimate them at all," said Nduna.
Celtic will depend on the likes of Darrel Smith, Mark Mayambela and Moses Spandeel to find the net.
Another potential Nedbank Cup thriller is on the cards when Moroka Swallows entertain Maritzburg United at Germiston Stadium on Sunday.
Though The Team of Choice have shown some good form of late, the Birds have enough depth in their aviary to beat Gordon Igesund's side and advance to the semifinals.
Sandile Ndlovu and Lefa Tsutsulupa are some of the players who can steer Swallows to a win. But Elias Ngwepe and Lynch Pule could prove a handful to the hosts.
tuks take it to celtic
Meshack Khotha
Meshack Khotha
National First Division inland stream side University of Pretoria are after the scalp of yet another Premiership side, Bloemfontein Celtic, in the Nedbank Cup.
Steve Barker's side upset the applecart in the last-16 phase of this lucrative tournament when they beat Kaizer Chiefs 4-3 at Super Stadium a fortnight ago.
Now AmaTuks host Celtic in the quarterfinals at the University of Pretoria at 8.15pm on Saturday.
Speaking to Sowetan yesterday, AmaTuks linkman Aubrey Ngoma said though they were positive they can win on Saturday, it will not be easy against the Free Staters.
They expect Phunya SeleSele to take the match to them from the onset, but he feels coach Barker will have a plan to counter them.
"After our rigorous training this week, everybody is razor sharp and well conditioned. We are all ready for this match," said a determined Ngoma. "Our coach has warned the players not treat this game differently. Instead we must stick to our normal basics and enjoy ourselves.
"The mood in the camp is positive. All the players have vowed to prove Gauteng is the home of champions by scalping our opponents and booking a berth in the semifinals."
He added that there was extra motivation in playing against a PSL team. The Pretoria side will be without suspended captain Obed Moyo.
Phunya SeleSele will be buoyed by their exciting 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates in Bloemfontein last weekend. Celtic spokesperson Sello Nduna said they respected their opponents.
"It is not going to be an easy game because they are quite a remarkable side. Knowing how unpredictable cup games are, we are not going to underestimate them at all," said Nduna.
Celtic will depend on the likes of Darrel Smith, Mark Mayambela and Moses Spandeel to find the net.
Another potential Nedbank Cup thriller is on the cards when Moroka Swallows entertain Maritzburg United at Germiston Stadium on Sunday.
Though The Team of Choice have shown some good form of late, the Birds have enough depth in their aviary to beat Gordon Igesund's side and advance to the semifinals.
Sandile Ndlovu and Lefa Tsutsulupa are some of the players who can steer Swallows to a win. But Elias Ngwepe and Lynch Pule could prove a handful to the hosts.