Downs looking to win elusive MTN8 title
The Brazilians haven’t been lucky in their Cup challenges, their last MTN8 tournament win was in 2007 when the competition was popularly known as the “SAA Supa8”.
All eyes are on the MTN8 Cup final as Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City prepare for a thrilling encounter on Saturday evening at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
A fine string of performances from Masandawana is paying off as the defending league champions are possibly one game away from clinching the long-awaited top 8 trophy.
Downs coach Rulani Mokwena described this weekend’s opponents as highly competitive and capable:
“We expect a very difficult match against a very good side, when you speak of preparations and analysis, you look at two facets: The one is from a personnel aspect of course, my opinion is that Cape Town City probably have close to the most complete sides in relation to personnel, they have specialists in every position and very good players,” he said.
The Brazilians haven’t been lucky in their Cup challenges, their last MTN8 tournament win was in 2007 when the competition was popularly known as the “SAA Supa8”.
Mokwena was confident that the experience of his co-coaches and the players would carry them through the final.
“The good thing is that we have the experience that Coach Manqoba [Mnqithi] has with Cup finals, Coach Steve Kompela has been a head coach in cup finals and we have the experience of players in dealing with cup finals.
“We are blessed in that space that we have players that have played so many cup finals and games of consequence, they know what it means for the club and how important it is for us to be able to put this one to bed for the club,” Mokwena said.
“It is the one trophy that over the years we haven’t won and it’s a trophy that we are motivated by the desires of our goals and not by the pressure of having not won the trophy, it’s two different aspects – the one comes from more of a negative context and the other from a more positive context.”
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Bafana Ba Style are up against City who have not had much luck in winning their domestic league encounters.
“You’ve got Hugo Marques in goals, extensive experience has helped them with the build-up and he’s very good in relation to how they want to play, to build from the back and his distribution for transition.
“You’ve got the left back Terrence Mashego who is probably the most on-form left back and probably one of the best in the country at the moment, he has deservedly been called up to Bafana Bafana,” Mokwena said.
City have won two games of their seven games played in the DStv Premiership, with two games lost and three resulting in draws. Downs Coach Rulani reflected on his opponent’s style of play.
Masandawana coach concluded that his team is capable of handling the dynamics and changes of Cape Town City as the Brazilians are in excellent shape both in attack and defence.
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