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Cape Town - Maritzburg United coach Fadlu Davids has called for calmness from his charges ahead of Saturday’s Nedbank Cup final with Free State Stars.
Davids admitted that it has not been easy controlling the level of excitement among his players after a successful season.
Maritzburg has this season for the first time in the history of the club reached the final of a cup competition and also secured their best finish in the Premiership table.
They take on Ea Lla Koto in the battle to be crowned champions of the Nedbank Cup at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
Davids told SuperSport: “We have had a fantastic season, a historic season for the club and also with ups and downs.
“The downs of course are losing your two players and the up is really finishing in the best position in the history of the club, but that now all falls away with the cup final.
“It’s a chance to make history, our first cup final as the club. So we have to be calm, none of our players have won a cup before. Siyanda (Xulu) and Bevan (Fransman) have played in final, but lost. So it’s a new experience for the club and players.
“The players are excited; we have to bring them down back to earth. We have to get them approach it like a normal game.”
The Team of Choice mentor said he is aware that Stars also have their own ambitions going into the final and they will have to dig deep to clinch the trophy.
Davids feels his side will be the underdogs going into the final because Ea Lla Koto has played in cup finals before.
“We are playing Stars; they have beaten us at Harry Gwala before, they have played in a Cup final before and have more cup pedigree and we are definitely underdogs.
“They are really a difficult team to play against, rigid defending and man-marking and of course one of the best counter-attacking teams in the league. You make a mistake in your build-up they punish you.
“Quick players on the wings, we are expecting that. They are a well-coached side, a well-oiled machine and they know exactly what to do in moments of the game, so we prepared for a very tough game and intensive match for 90 or 120 minutes.”
Kick-off is at 19:00.
