Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs may have been knocked out of the Nedbank Cup at the weekend, but that does not make life any easier for Mamelodi Sundowns, defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele said yesterday.
Sundowns survived a giant-killing weekend, the club beating hoodoo side Platinum Stars 3-1 in the last 16 at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday.
They have been drawn to play Mpumalanga Black Aces in the quarterfinals, a repeat of the 2008 final won by the Chloorkop side.
Unlike in the league, where they have to rely on PSL rivals to derail leaders Kaizer Chiefs, Sundowns have their destiny in the cup in their hands, but Mphahlele said SuperSport United and Bidvest Wits could not be ruled out of contention.
"You still have Wits and SuperSport. You cannot rule anybody out. We can't just say because Chiefs and Pirates are out, we are the favourites. This cup is known for disappointments, so we have to be very careful. We have to work for the trophy.
"The league is not in our hands, but the Nedbank Cup is. If we win all the games in this competition we win it. We are happy with the draw because we are playing a PSL team, which means we know who we are coming up against," Mphahlele said.
SuperSport, who beat defending champions Orlando Pirates 1-0 in Polokwane on Saturday, will face National First Division leaders Golden Arrows and are wary of the threat posed by a former player of theirs, Mabhuti Khenyeza.
Matsatsantsa captain Clayton Daniels, who knows Khenyeza from their time together at Sundowns, will have to keep a close eye on the striker.
"It's going to be a tough game. Being at home is a good boost for us, but we play a hard running team."
Quarterfinal draw:
Aces v Sundowns; SuperSport v Arrows; Ajax v Wits; Leopards v Vasco
Matches take place on April 11 and 12
Downs: We are not favourites
Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs may have been knocked out of the Nedbank Cup at the weekend, but that does not make life any easier for Mamelodi Sundowns, defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele said yesterday.
Sundowns survived a giant-killing weekend, the club beating hoodoo side Platinum Stars 3-1 in the last 16 at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday.
They have been drawn to play Mpumalanga Black Aces in the quarterfinals, a repeat of the 2008 final won by the Chloorkop side.
Unlike in the league, where they have to rely on PSL rivals to derail leaders Kaizer Chiefs, Sundowns have their destiny in the cup in their hands, but Mphahlele said SuperSport United and Bidvest Wits could not be ruled out of contention.
"You still have Wits and SuperSport. You cannot rule anybody out. We can't just say because Chiefs and Pirates are out, we are the favourites. This cup is known for disappointments, so we have to be very careful. We have to work for the trophy.
"The league is not in our hands, but the Nedbank Cup is. If we win all the games in this competition we win it. We are happy with the draw because we are playing a PSL team, which means we know who we are coming up against," Mphahlele said.
SuperSport, who beat defending champions Orlando Pirates 1-0 in Polokwane on Saturday, will face National First Division leaders Golden Arrows and are wary of the threat posed by a former player of theirs, Mabhuti Khenyeza.
Matsatsantsa captain Clayton Daniels, who knows Khenyeza from their time together at Sundowns, will have to keep a close eye on the striker.
"It's going to be a tough game. Being at home is a good boost for us, but we play a hard running team."
Quarterfinal draw:
Aces v Sundowns; SuperSport v Arrows; Ajax v Wits; Leopards v Vasco
Matches take place on April 11 and 12
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