Baroka Football Club eyes Nedbank Cup

National First Division (NFD) log leaders Baroka Football Club will be hoping for a victory against Royal Eagles whom they meet in the top 32 match of the Nedbank Cup which on Tuesday at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
In 2011 Baroka FC reached the semi-finals eliminating big South African soccer teams Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows along the way. Team Manager Oupa Kgoadi said they have all the resources that will enable them to go to the finals of the Nedbank Cup. “We have a strong squad that is determined to win trophies and the Nedbank Cup is one of them,” Kgaodi said.
He stressed that it was important for players to exert themselves well in the Cup because this is the tournament that gave them recognition. “This is the Cup that gave us exposure in 2011 after we beat Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows to reach the semi-finals. It introduced us to the football world, we were an unknown team from a remote area and now everyone knows us because of the Cup, so it is important to take it serious,” Kgoadi said.
They will rely on their captain Oleng Shaku, midfielder Nkosinathi Ndlovu and Thabiso Kutumela who is the NFD‘s leading goal scorer with 12 goals to do business on the day.
Baroka has never lost a match against Royal Eagles. Last season they won all their home and away matches. “We drew 2-2 with them last month in the league and one thing we know is that they will come at us but we are ready for them,” Kgoadi said.
Royals who have recently appointed former Bafana Bafana assistant Coach, Khabo Zondo as their new Coach will rely on star players Katlego Mphela, Khethowakhe Masuku and Raymond Monama to deliver on the day.

Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za