Ndumiso Mabena had an air of confidence about him at yesterday's Telkom Knockout last 16 draw - even after Platinum Stars were pitted against Kaizer Chiefs in the opening round of the competition which kicks off next weekend.
The former Orlando Pirates marksman was perhaps well within his rights to exhibit such calm, what with Dikwena yet to suffer defeat this season and having begun the Premier League season with Cavin Johnson as their coach.
Mabena said Chiefs were less of a threat because of Johnson's magic touch and their equally impressive start to the campaign, where they find themselves lying fourth - a point behind leaders Ajax Cape Town - on the log table after four league games.
"We knew we would improve when Cavin started the season with us, and the results are showing because we haven't lost a match," said Mabena.
"I think he did well taking over from Allan Freese and having him gives us an opportunity to be successful this season. We know that if we follow his instructions, it becomes easier for us to be dominant.
"It is no longer just Chiefs who can win cups because if you look at other teams in the league, everyone has the ability to challenge."
Dikwena also have a credible cup pedigree, Mabena said, one they recently validated after clinching both the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout titles two seasons ago. But they were unsuccessful in defending the two trophies a year later, with the wheels coming off before Johnson agreed to replace Freese in his second stint with the club.
By the time the two sides meet, Amakhosi would have had time to get over their MTN8 final defeat to Ajax Cape Town at the weekend. That is what rightback Siboniso Gaxa wants to believe.
"It's a good thing for us to be playing so quickly after the disappointment in the final. You learn from those sort of disappointments," Gaxa said.
Full draw (home team first):
Maritzburg v Cosmos; Platinum Stars v Chiefs; Pirates v University of Pretoria; Sundowns v Chippa; Celtic v Aces; FS Stars v Wits; Polokwane City v SuperSport; Arrows v Ajax
Stars trust Johnson
Ndumiso Mabena had an air of confidence about him at yesterday's Telkom Knockout last 16 draw - even after Platinum Stars were pitted against Kaizer Chiefs in the opening round of the competition which kicks off next weekend.
The former Orlando Pirates marksman was perhaps well within his rights to exhibit such calm, what with Dikwena yet to suffer defeat this season and having begun the Premier League season with Cavin Johnson as their coach.
Mabena said Chiefs were less of a threat because of Johnson's magic touch and their equally impressive start to the campaign, where they find themselves lying fourth - a point behind leaders Ajax Cape Town - on the log table after four league games.
"We knew we would improve when Cavin started the season with us, and the results are showing because we haven't lost a match," said Mabena.
"I think he did well taking over from Allan Freese and having him gives us an opportunity to be successful this season. We know that if we follow his instructions, it becomes easier for us to be dominant.
"It is no longer just Chiefs who can win cups because if you look at other teams in the league, everyone has the ability to challenge."
Dikwena also have a credible cup pedigree, Mabena said, one they recently validated after clinching both the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout titles two seasons ago. But they were unsuccessful in defending the two trophies a year later, with the wheels coming off before Johnson agreed to replace Freese in his second stint with the club.
By the time the two sides meet, Amakhosi would have had time to get over their MTN8 final defeat to Ajax Cape Town at the weekend. That is what rightback Siboniso Gaxa wants to believe.
"It's a good thing for us to be playing so quickly after the disappointment in the final. You learn from those sort of disappointments," Gaxa said.
Full draw (home team first):
Maritzburg v Cosmos; Platinum Stars v Chiefs; Pirates v University of Pretoria; Sundowns v Chippa; Celtic v Aces; FS Stars v Wits; Polokwane City v SuperSport; Arrows v Ajax
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