Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs will be looking to quash any thoughts of a Stellenbosch giant-killing act in Saturday's Nedbank Cup last-16 match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Amakhosi booked their spot in the round of 16 with a 3-0 win over Golden Arrows, while Stellenbosch - currently ninth in the National First Division - beat runaway leaders Highlands Park 1-0.
The Winelands outfit possess in their ranks some experienced campaigners and potential dangermen, such as former Santos trio Iqraam Rayners, Carl Lark and Devon Saal, who is on loan from Maritzburg United.
Other players with PSL experience include Washington Arubi, Gert Barends and Mbulelo Wambi, while Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker knows a thing or two about big games, one in particular, when he guided AmaTuks (an NFD club at that stage) to a thrilling 4-3 win over Chiefs in the last 16 of the 2009 Nedbank Cup.
This is the second time that the two clubs clash in two seasons, the Glamour Boys having triumphed 3-0 in 2017 with goals from Joseph Malongoane, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Gustavo Paez.
For Stellenbosch defender Ayanda Nkili, however, the game this weekend is a blank slate.
"Maybe it's second time lucky you know, this is football. What I can tell you is that we have to be prepared and go all out. We're going to make sure that we give them a run for their money," Nkili told Soccer Laduma.
"I wasn't there for the last game, and I wouldn't want to compare last year to this year because it'll be a different game. We just have to make sure that we put in a performance on the day. We aren't preparing for any individuals, we're focused on the whole team at Chiefs."
While Stellenbosch have failed to win in their last three league meetings, Chiefs have also gone two games without a win in the top flight.
Chiefs coach Steve Komphela has a call to make with regards to George Maluleka and Leonardo Castro, who are injury doubts for Saturday, while Ramahlwe Mphahlele is suspended.
Amakhosi striker Bernard Parker has, meanwhile, called on the entire team to take on the responsibility of goalscoring.
"We have to do the business as a team, it shouldn't be based on individuals. It's not only up to the strikers to score goals," Parker said.
"For example, I played most of my career at the number 10 position, giving so many assists for others to score. However, on top of that, I scored a lot of goals. If a striker doesn't score, it's up to the midfielders and even defenders to help out."
