POLOKWANE – Local amateur soccer team, Mariveni United, is gearing up for their clash against African champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, in the Nedbank Cup.

Mariveni, which plays in the SAB League, will meet Sundowns on the pitch of the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, for the opening match of the Nedbank Cup, tonight.

The David and Goliath match-up promises to be exciting as this will be Mariveni’s debut appearance in this prestigious competition.

Mariveni Head Coach, Tapfumameyi Dodo, said although the team feels slightly intimidated to play against Sundowns, one of the best teams in Africa, they are determined to give their best.

“We might be in the lower football league but my boys know how to play soccer. Sundowns is a big, strong team but they should not underestimate a team from a rural village,” he said.

He added that although the Brazilians might win the game, Mariveni will not give up until the fat lady sings.

According to Dodo, this is a big opportunity for his players to showcase their talent with maybe one or two players getting recruited by professional teams. Players to look out for on the team are general midfielder, Thapelo Manganyi, and defender, David Maleka.

When asked if their strategy was to focus on specific Sundowns players, Dodo said there is no way they cannot target certain players.

Sundowns has some of the best players in the world and we must deny certain players in their team from getting control of the ball.

Hlompho Kekana, Khama Billiat, and Percy Tau in particular need to be shut doen and not allowed room to play,” he explained.

endy@nmgroup.co.za