Double headers are not a common occurrence in South African football these days, and so when the PSL confirmed the dates, venues and times for the Carling Knockout quarterfinals last week, there must have been more than a few eyebrows raised when the reality hit home that there were two fixtures on the same day at the same venue. Especially because Orlando Pirates, who are fast making a name for themselves as the cup kings of South African footy, are set to be involved in one of the matches. Saturday 4 November is going to be a memorable day for the fans, for besides the fact that Bucs will be facing unfancied Richards Bay FC, there will be the small matter of the KZN Derby between AmaZulu FC and Golden Arrows. You don't wanna be anywhere else. In this preview, focusing mostly on the double header, Soccer Laduma's Tshepang Mailwane talks to the relevant people to discuss some of the talking points.
Richards Bay FC v Orlando Pirates
4 November, Moses Mabhida Stadium, 15h00
I'll Give It To Pirates Because…
Cup specialists Pirates and Kaitano Tembo's men get the ball rolling in the Saturday double header in KwaZulu-Natal in what is set to be an intriguing encounter. The Natal Rich Boyz might be struggling in the league, but they are not particularly playing badly and could pose a challenge if taken lightly on the day. What's more, the Zimbabwean mentor is well aware of the pressure he is under to keep his job and a victory over the Buccaneers could buy him some time. On the side of Jose Riveiro, there will be hope that his key players will come to the party as they have somewhat disappointed in recent games. Ex-Pirates winger Dikgang Mabalane has his say.
Tshepang Mailwane: With Richards Bay FC struggling in the league, do you think a victory in the Carling Knockout over Orlando Pirates would buy coach Kaitano Tembo some more time as we hear he's a man under pressure?
Dikgang Mabalane: Yes, that would be a big one. It would definitely buy him time. It will buy him time because of the opposition. It's Pirates, so it would definitely buy him time. They are still in the cup and if they win this game, or even the cup, it will bring money into the club, so the more they advance, the owners will definitely be happy with the money. It would buy time for Kaitano, so this is an important game for him. But it's a big ask.
TM: Looking at the Natal Rich Boyz this season, what do you think has been the root of their problems?
DM: When I look at Richards Bay and their performances this season, it's not surprising because I spoke about it early this season. Last season, they started well, but after the FIFA World Cup, when they came back for the second half of the season, everything started falling apart. They were losing left and right. It actually started in the second half oflast season, so it's not something new, meaning they did not try to solve their problems. They did not see an urgent need to solve their problems because there were signs already last season that they had to fix their problems. You can't really say much has changed. You can't say there was an effort to bring in quality players and that, for me, is something that boggles my mind. For the fact that they are still struggling and they are on the backfoot, it makes me ask why they did not do much? There could be a lot of reasons for that, but the fact is that not much was done.
TM: Do you think they are at a disadvantage as this game will be played at Moses Mabhida Stadium, where Bucs tend to do well in knockout competition matches and obviously have more supporters?
DM: It definitely suits Pirates in a sense that they will have the supporters rallying behind them. That's a factor. It's not everything, but it is an advantage for Pirates and a disadvantage for Richards Bay. But that can also benefit Richards Bay in a way because fans can only be an advantage when you are doing well on the day. We've seen the pattern where you get these smaller teams giving big teams problems and the longer the game goes, (the more) the supporters of the big team turn against their own team. This is when the smaller teams take advantage, so it's a double-edged sword. Richards Bay should use that to their advantage.
TM: Are there any weaknesses in the Pirates side that the KZN outfit can take advantage of?
DM: Pirates have not really found their rhythm. They play well when certain individuals are doing well. When these individuals are not on song, then they struggle. That's when the opposition teams take advantage. If Richards Bay know which individuals to keep a close eye on, then Pirates might not be able to play their normal game. That's why I feel Pirates must find their rhythm and start to play more like a team. They should not rely on certain individuals and play as a unit because when the individual aspect is not working, they know that they can still win the game as a team. Richards Bay can take advantage of that. Another thing about Pirates is that they do not like to be made uncomfortable. If you press them or you get a bit physical with them, then it becomes a problem and they lose the ball easily and their game does not flow. They always want to be dominant, so when you disrupt that, they struggle. The question is how long you can do that as Richards Bay?
TM: For Pirates, how much of a negative impact can the pressure of being expected to win this tournament have on the team, especially after the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United were knocked out?
DM: It can affect them. They could look at it and feel that they are the only big team left in the competition and that they should be cruising, but that's not the case. There is more pressure on them now because they are the only team that people really expect to win this competition. That is pressure on its own, so that pressure can get too much and work against them. They should forget that they are the only big team left and play the game at hand.
TM: How much of a concern is their striking department going into this game, more so with Zakhele Lepasa not finding the back of the net in a while and Evidence Makgopa struggling a bit?
DM: This is the thing about football analysis and our South African people. We needed to be careful with Lepasa and understand where he is in his football. Players go through a high and form, but that form could be temporary, and it could be from the fact that he was coming back from SuperSport United and now the confidence is back. But overall, if you look at him as a player, does he have the qualities to be a Top Goalscorer? That is something that we should have looked at and not put pressure on him. I feel that we put pressure on Lepasa. We were too premature when it came to the praises. We are quick to put players on a pedestal and it's unfair on Lepasa. A player cannot get to his true potential because we have already placed him on a pedestal and expectations are high. When a player is suddenly not scoring goals, we are like, "What's happening?" We needed to give him time and not praise him too much. He started feeling that he had to score every game and his game intelligence started being affected because he had played with the emotions of saying, "I have to score."
TM: So, where will the goals come from?
DM: Good question. That's why you can't have one source when it comes to goals. Evidence comes from Baroka FC and can we say he was coached well? I feel that there is still a lot that he needs to be coached on. He is not a player you can just bring into Pirates and say, "Start scoring goals." That's a lot of pressure. Now they need to rely on midfielders to get goals. Modern football requires midfielders to score goals as well. They need to come to the party and score goals.
TM: What's your prediction, baba?
DM: I'll give it to Pirates because I think they should win this one. My expectations are high. They should win it by a scoreline of three.
AmaZulu FC v Golden Arrows
4 November, Moses Mabhida Stadium, 19h00
It Will Be Determined By Mistakes
The derby. Derby games, anywhere in the world, are feisty encounters, and this one will be no exception with a place in the semifinals at stake. This matchup certainly has all the attributes to be an exciting clash, with Arrows flying high at the moment and AmaZulu rediscovering their mojo under a new coach. Will the fairly young local coach, in Mabhudi Khenyeza, outwit the experienced Pablo Franco Martin as he has done to most coaches so far this season? Knox Mutizwa is a man to watch, while Ethan Brooks will look to pull the strings for Usuthu in midfield. Njabulo Manqana,a brilliant player in his heyday, can't wait for the first whistle to blow, as he previews the encounter.
Tshepang Mailwane: Let's start with the away team going into this match. What do you think of the work your former teammate Mabhudi Khenyeza is doing with high-flying Golden Arrows?
Njabulo Manqana: I can see that the players at Arrows are enjoying themselves now, even more than before. I know Vusumuzi Vilakazi was there and he had given them the freedom to play football, but I can see that the players are enjoying themselves even more and I know Mabhudi is someone who will emphasise that and that's why I feel that he has been getting results. They are playing the ball on the ground, and I just like the way they are putting in a lot of effort, which means the physical trainer at the club might be pushing them more to make sure they are fit. Mabhudi is doing a big job to push the players because you can also see how Arrows press the opposition. It's at training where you need to push the players. The players are relaxed and they are playing football.
TM: Do you think that never-saydie attitude Khenyeza displayed during his playing days is rubbing off on his players?
NM: Definitely. You know how he was. He was a player who never wanted to lose and he was aggressive on the pitch. He worked really hard, so I think that has rubbed off onto the players. You can see that his players want to play for him and I can't wait to see the game on Saturday to see how Arrows will play.
TM: How important is it for the head coach to do well in the Carling Knockout, especially as a young mentor who is trying to prove himself in the topflight?
NM: I'd really be happy if he were to go the whole way and win this cup. Cup competitions are different to the league because anyone can get a chance to win. Sometimes you just need luck in cup competitions and you can go all the way. I hope he can win and maybe people will start to recognise that he can do the job in the PSL. In South Africa, people are often recognised when they have won a cup, so I hope he can do well. I wish he can have the luck to win this competition and Mato (Madlala, Arrows chairlady) can trust him even more that he can take the team forward.
TM: What do you think the team needs to do to punish AmaZulu FC?
NM: AmaZulu are playing well at the moment, and they are organised, which means Arrows need to be at their best in attack, which is how they play because they know how to keep the ball on the ground. They just need to be patient and go at AmaZulu. I really think that it's going to be a nice derby.
TM: Looking at the opponents, how much pressure do you think they are under, looking at how president Sandile Zungu has spent so much money to bring in some top players to the side?
NM: When you bring in quality players, it means you want to get something in return. You pay the players, right? You give them a lot of money and you give the coach the material he needs to compete, so that means they have to deliver. That's what hurts some of the coaches sometimes because a chairman can say, "I am giving you all the tools to succeed, so why aren't we winning trophies?" That's what puts a lot of coaches under pressure. You can see that AmaZulu are determined to win. They beat (Kaizer) Chiefs, who were under pressure, so I think the team will be confident going into the game against Arrows. They are showing that they want something this season. This is an important cup for them, and it gives them an opportunity.
TM: How much of an impact has coach Pablo Martin made on Usuthu?
NM: You can see that he has brought in the Spanish style, and they are playing well at the moment. I think he will do well with the team. You can see that he is building a structure and I think they should just give him time to build and he will deliver. You can see that he knows what he is doing and he knows football. He just needs more time and things will come right.
TM: Where do you think they can hurt Arrows?
NM: If you watch AmaZulu's matches, you can see that they have a strong counter-attack, and they can use that. Arrows play a high-pressing game, and you can catch people who play like that on the counter. Sometimes the Arrows defenders are flat, so it's easy for someone who has pace to beat them. I don't think Arrows should go into the game looking to press high because AmaZulu can punish them as they know how to catch teams on the counter. AmaZulu have different dimensions to their game.
TM: All said and done, who do you think will win?
NM: I played for both these teams, so it's difficult to predict it. It's a game anyone can win and I think it will be determined by mistakes.
Other Great Battles To Look Forward To…
Polokwane City v Stellenbosch
3 November, Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, 19h30
Possible surprise package?
Polokwane City have been in sublime form since winning promotion to the topflight and they cannot be ruled out of going all the way in this competition, especially after hammering SuperSport United, a credible cup side, 4-1 in the Last 16. This is the second time these sides will be playing in Polokwane this season, as Rise and Shine edged the league clash 1-0 in August. Lehlohonolo Seema's men could have a psychological advantage going into the game, especially because they have only lost one match at home this season, against giants Mamelodi Sundowns.
Away cup form to inspire Stellies?
Stellenbosch have not had the best of times away from home in the DStv Premiership, but they've impressed on the road in knockout competitions. In the MTN8, they beat SuperSport United in Polokwane in the quarterfinals and then went on to edge Orlando Pirates 1-0 at Orlando Stadium in the second leg semi-final, though the victory was not enough to send them through to the final as the Buccaneers progressed on away goals. In the Last 16 of the Carling Knockout, Steve Barker's charges beat Chippa United 2-1, so they could fancy their chances of upsetting Rise and Shine in the quarterfinals this weekend.
They may have already lost 1-0 to Polokwane City in Limpopo this season, but their away form in knockout competitions so far this season should give them reason to believe that they can progress to the semi-finals.
Also, having lost in the semifinals of both last seasons Nedbank Cup and the MTN8 this season, Steve Barkers men will definitely be hungry to go all the way this time around.
Sekhukhune United v TS Galaxy
4 November, New Peter Mokaba Stadium, 20h00
Home form a concern for Babina Noko
Sekhukhune, who reached the Nedbank Cup final last season, have struggled at home this campaign and this could be a concern for them as they prepare to host an unpredictable Galaxy side. In the four league matches they have played at home this season, they have lost three times and drawn once. They are yet to taste victory on home soil in the league, but the 1-0 win over Royal AM in the Last 16 of the Carling Knockout will give them hope that they are capable of knocking the Rockets out and edging closer to another final after getting to that stage in the Nedbank Cup a few months ago.
The two teams met as recently as last Sunday, with Sead Ramovic's men edging it 2-0, so Babina Noko will be out for revenge, although morale could be low in camp with the rumours of an impending exit of Brandon Truter.
Where will Galaxy's goals come from?
The Mpumalanga-based outfit may be high on confidence after knocking Mamelodi Sundowns out in the previous round, but there is a big concern when it comes to the games they have played away from home this season. In all four of the DStv Premiership matches they have played away from home this season, the Rockets have not found the back of the net. They are the joint-lowest-scoring side in the league with bottom of the table Cape Town Spurs, with just five goals scored in nine encounters.
They face a Sekhukhune side that is usually solid in defence, so this will be a big challenge for Ramovic's men, but the cup fixture does give them hope of going all the way to penalties if they cannot find the back of the net in 120 minutes.
