Its all systems go for TKO
Stars will be interacting with fans and signing jerseys tomorrow at the Nelspruit Plaza, I'langa and Riverside malls and KaNyamazane Shopping Complex, while Pirates also have a similar campaign at these venues and at the N4 Shell garage.
It’s all systems go for the Telkom Knockout (TKO) Cup Final between Orlando Pirates and Platinum Stars scheduled for this Saturday at the Mbombela Stadium.
Speaking to Mpumalanga News the PSL CEO, Brand de Villiers said, “I believe we will watch another great exhibition of football.
“There can be no better way to wrap up the year than to watch two sides battle for supremacy in what has become one of the premier knockout competitions in Africa.
“Together with our sponsors and suppliers Telkom, we have enjoyed a mutually benefiting relationship strengthened by our values and objectives.
“The 2013/14 TKO tournament has been a tremendous success both on and off the field. We have watched entertaining football and seen 41 goals scored so far en route to the final,” said De Villiers.
Having last met on September 28, during the MTN 8 Cup Final, where Stars surprised the Buccaneers on penalty shootout, both teams know that this is going to be a tough battle.
“We are coming from a tough weekend where we lost to Celtics, but the team is going back to the drawing board to prepare for the finals,” said Pirates’ spokesman, Mickey Modisane.
“It’s not going to be any easy one but I can assure our supporters that we are leaving Mbombela with that trophy and we are going to win it for them.
“To be honest, this is going to be a tough battle. Our football has grown and is now very competitive and there are no more small or big teams. All that is needed is for our players to remain focused and be at their best.
“We have a whole week to prepare for this final and I am sure that all our injured players will be fit to play and help the team bag this one,” he went on.
Even though Stars are still deemed as underdogs, they are certainly not to be underestimated.
“We are happy to have reached the finals and we are happy be coming to Mpumalanga. We are not coming down just to add numbers but to give Pirates a run for their money.
“You know, we didn’t get here via the back door, but went through tough opponents and we want to continue where we left off. We want to rewrite the history books by becoming the first-ever team to beat all the league’s big three teams in cup competition,” said Stars’ spokesman, Aubrey Molobi. Stars are no strangers to the Telkom Knockout as they were crowned the champs back in 2006 after beating Ajax Cape Town by 3-1 and they have all the ammunition needed to claim silverware for a second time just before the year winds up.
Kick-off is at 20:15. Stars will be interacting with fans and signing jerseys tomorrow at the Nelspruit Plaza, I’langa and Riverside malls and KaNyamazane Shopping Complex, while Pirates also have a similar campaign at these venues and at the N4 Shell garage.
