Opportunity awaits Haskins (Gallo)

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The Eldorado Park-born Haskins leaves for Los Angeles Galaxy after the showdown against First Division giant killers Pretoria University at the Rand Stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm.

Haskins has earned a trial next week with England superstar David Beckham´s LA Galaxy and is determined to go to the United States with a Cup winner´s medal.

Said Haskins: "I am excited about going to LA Galaxy. I have my agent, Ryan Hartslief, to thank for this opportunity which has come late in my career, but I aim to make the most of it and impress Galaxy officials and earn a contract. "

At ,28, Haskins might have thought is hopes of playing overseas were over, but he is determined to make up for lost time.

This will be his second trip to the US - he won a scholarship to play for the Florida Atlantic University after finishing matric in 2000.

Playing overseas

He joined the Birds from Jomo Cosmos in 2005 and was part of the Cosmos squad that won the Coca-Cola and Supa8 Cups, but he did not play in either Cup finals.

"I badly want to play in this final and help Swallows win the Cup. We have won nothing in the four years I have been with Swallows and that has to change on Saturday."

If he succeeds at LA Galaxy he will follow in the footsteps of other great South African players such as Kaizer Motaung, Ace Ntsoelengoe, Jomo Sono, Doctor Khumalo and Shaun Bartlett, who all played successfully in the United States.

"I have always wanted to play overseas. I had hoped one day to play in Europe, but LA Galaxy offers me a foot in the door.

I realise this is only a trial and everything is up to me, but just the chance of playing in the same team as Beckham has inspired me.

"Beckham is an icon and the most recognisable soccer player in the world. Playing in the same side would be something for me to cherish."

Haskins, who has a deadly left foot and is one of the midfield stars that helped the Birds reach the Cup final, is keen to shine against AmaTuks who he has the greatest respect for.

"It is no fluke Tukkies are in the final. They are there on merit and have impressed me as a hard running side that never give up. We are aware it is going to be a tough final, but we are up for the challenge."

Haskins said that even winning the final would not wipe away the Birds disappointing season that saw the team who were touted as possible champions during the first round, fade and finish in a lowly 11th position on the 16-team Premiership.

But head coach Julio Leal, according to Haskins, has got the players fired up for one last big effort against a Tuks side under coach Steve Barker that have shown a healthy appetite for scalping top class PSL opposition.

Tuks defeated Kaizer Chiefs, Bloemfontein Celtic and Ajax Cape Town on their way to the final.

Haskins is part of a talented midfield that includes hard working captain Lefa Tsutsulupa and Cecil Oerson, but he reckons burly striker, Sandile "AK 47" Ndlovu, could be the match winner. But in Warren Bishop, Tuks have a top class defender who is set to play and get the job of marking Ndlovu.

Barker is confident, despite being without suspended captain and defensive strongman Obert Moyo and holding midfielder Andile Jali, his Students can become the first side form the lower leagues to win the PSL´s premier knockout competition.

Said Barker: "We have worked hard to get to the final and we strongly believe we can go all the way. But we respect Swallows as one of the PSL´s big clubs and have prepared well."