MAMELODI Sundowns striker Richard Henyekane can't wait to play club soccer in Kimberley for the first time since turning professional in 2004.
The Kimberley-born Henyekane and his team-mates at Sundowns will play against Powerlines FC at GWK Stadium in the Nedbank Cup Last-32 round on March 4.
"The only time I played in Kimberley as a professional player was when Bafana Bafana beat Madagascar 1-0 in a friendly," said the player also known as the Kimberley Express in soccer circles.
"We are looking forward to doing well in this tournament and the league, and there is no way we will underestimate Powerlines FC.
In the same tournament last season, Sundowns were eliminated by Orlando Pirates in the first round.
Pirates went all the way to win the competition.
"We hope to get great support in the Northern Cape because we have a lot of people supporting Sundowns there," added Henyekane.
Henyekane started his professional soccer at Lamontville Golden Arrows where he also played alongside his elder brother, defender Joseph, who is currently on trial with Free State Stars.
The rest of the draw and dates are:
March 2
Harry Gwala - Maritzburg United v Bloemfontein Celtic, 8pm
March 3
Charles Mopeli - African Warriors v Jomo Cosmos, 3pm
Rand - MP Aces v Witbank Spurs, 3pm
King Zwelithini - Golden Arrows v North West Shining Stars, 8.15pm
Soccer City - Kaizer Chiefs v Cape Town All Stars, 8.15pm
March 4
AJ Swanepoel - Batau FC v SuperSport United, 3pm
March 7
Athlone - Santos v University of Pretoria, 7.30pm
Royal Bafokeng - Platinum Stars v Dolphin FC, 7.30pm
March 9
Dobsonville - Swallows v BidVest Wits, 8pm
March 10
Goble Park - Free State Stars v Sivutsa Stars, 3pm
Peter Mokaba - Black Leopards v Blackburn Rovers, 8.15pm
King Zwelithini - eThekwini Coastal v Pirates, 8.15pm
March 11
Moses Mabhida - AmaZulu v Ajax Cape Town, 3pm
Botshabelo - Roses United v Bay United, 3pm.
Henyekane goes back home
MAMELODI Sundowns striker Richard Henyekane can't wait to play club soccer in Kimberley for the first time since turning professional in 2004.
The Kimberley-born Henyekane and his team-mates at Sundowns will play against Powerlines FC at GWK Stadium in the Nedbank Cup Last-32 round on March 4.
"The only time I played in Kimberley as a professional player was when Bafana Bafana beat Madagascar 1-0 in a friendly," said the player also known as the Kimberley Express in soccer circles.
"We are looking forward to doing well in this tournament and the league, and there is no way we will underestimate Powerlines FC.
In the same tournament last season, Sundowns were eliminated by Orlando Pirates in the first round.
Pirates went all the way to win the competition.
"We hope to get great support in the Northern Cape because we have a lot of people supporting Sundowns there," added Henyekane.
Henyekane started his professional soccer at Lamontville Golden Arrows where he also played alongside his elder brother, defender Joseph, who is currently on trial with Free State Stars.
The rest of the draw and dates are:
March 2
Harry Gwala - Maritzburg United v Bloemfontein Celtic, 8pm
March 3
Charles Mopeli - African Warriors v Jomo Cosmos, 3pm
Rand - MP Aces v Witbank Spurs, 3pm
King Zwelithini - Golden Arrows v North West Shining Stars, 8.15pm
Soccer City - Kaizer Chiefs v Cape Town All Stars, 8.15pm
March 4
AJ Swanepoel - Batau FC v SuperSport United, 3pm
March 7
Athlone - Santos v University of Pretoria, 7.30pm
Royal Bafokeng - Platinum Stars v Dolphin FC, 7.30pm
March 9
Dobsonville - Swallows v BidVest Wits, 8pm
March 10
Goble Park - Free State Stars v Sivutsa Stars, 3pm
Peter Mokaba - Black Leopards v Blackburn Rovers, 8.15pm
King Zwelithini - eThekwini Coastal v Pirates, 8.15pm
March 11
Moses Mabhida - AmaZulu v Ajax Cape Town, 3pm
Botshabelo - Roses United v Bay United, 3pm.