Cape Town - Maritzburg United coach Mandla Ncikazi said that playing against Kaizer Chiefs is going to be their biggest challenge.
Ncikazi, who was assistant coach to Komphela before he left for Chiefs said that the MTN8 quarterfinal match will be great for the fans but won’t be for both coaches who grew closely as colleagues and friends.
"Let me just point out something," Ncikazi told Sport24.
"This is something else, you know being a new coach of the team and the club qualifying for the first time for the MTN8.
"Also with Komphela having left and now coaching the MTN8 champions, it’s going to be a challenge.
"Steve and I are very close to each other as colleagues and friends. As professionals it’s going to be difficult because I know he knows what I’m thinking and I know he can tell what I have up my sleeve you know.
"It’s obviously going to be a great match for the fans but not really a good match for the coaches."
Ncikazi admits that the Team of Choice will have to work very hard to earn their place this season and bear in mind the challenges they will face but still keep focused.
"The players need to really push hard and do their very best because we have a huge challenge in front of us.
"Every club wants to win obviously but we will work very hard and make sure we are up there somewhere this season."
United will play against Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN8 quarterfinals on Wednesday, August 5 at the FNB Stadium.
Kick-off is at 19:30.