Mpumalanga minnows out to ace an upset victory over Stars

Billy Coooper in JOHANNESBURG

ALL eyes will be on Mamelodi Sundowns when they clash with the unpredictable AmaZulu at Potchefstroom‘s Olen Park at 3pm tomorrow.

Downs have the edge after winning the Telkom Knockout trophy last year, but club boss Patrice Motsepe, who is impatient for success, sacked his highly rated coach Gordon Igesund and appointed his deputy, Trott Moloto.

Moloto, a former Bafana Bafana coach, has done well so far but knows that to keep his boss happy and his job at the end of the season, he has to not just get past Usuthu but win the cup. Anything else will be deemed a failure.

Kenny Ndlazi is hoping to play his trump card and lead his First Division giant killers into the promised land of the Nedbank Cup final today.

The former South African under-23 coach has guided First Division minnows Mpumalanga Black Aces into the semi-finals of the continent‘s richest domestic knockout competition and today, at Atteridgeville‘s Super Stadium (3pm), the lower league side will meet Premier Soccer League (PSL) outfit Free State Stars for a place in the May 24 final.

With R1-million already in the club coffers and a possible R6-million if they achieve what many reckon is the impossible and win the trophy, Ndlazi will become a folk hero in Witbank where the predecessor of Aces, then known as Witbank Black Aces, were born. Ndlazi has been like a breath of fresh air to Aces since he took charge recently.

His heart tells him that Aces will beat favourites Stars, who fought their way out of the First Division at the end of last season and have made a big impression in the PSL by looking like securing a coveted spot in the new top eight cup next season and a semi-final berth in the Nedbank Cup.

But Ndlazi, who has blended youth and experience in his team selection, is too wily a coach to let his heart rule his head and he has done his homework on Stars.

“I watched Stars play and beat Santos in the quarter-finals and AmaZulu (in the league). They run hard for 90 minutes and we will have to be on our toes.”

He has Michel Babale in goal who has tons of PSL experience. The former Congo keeper is part of what Ndlazi calls the spine of his side. The others are central defenders Felix Musasa, a former Orlando Pirates star and Babale‘s countryman, and Lucas Tlhomelang, a former Buccaneer and Jomo Cosmos ace, at the centre of the defence. Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Mandla Zwane and Amakhosi striker Kambamba Musasa lend the know-how.

But it is young guns, like flying wingers Linda Mbathi and Vusi Masondo plus striker Dukes Machaka, who could end up being Ndlazi‘s trump cards.

“Mbathi is our leading goal scorer this season and could be a handful on the wing for Stars defenders,” said Ndlazi, who oozes quiet confidence of causing another upset on the way to the final.

“That is what cup competitions are for – the little guys upsetting the bigger ones.” – Sapa