Venda Football Club (VFC) have reason to believe they can use Cape Town Spurs as a stepping stone to reach the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup when the teams meet at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Cape Town Spurs are struggling to find a winning formula this season. The team's future in the Motsepe Foundation Championship League hangs by a thread. Besides managing only three wins in their 16 league games to date, their record away from home has been unimpressive. Last Sunday, Cape Town Spurs were held to a 2-2 draw by Upington City at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium in Upington.
VFC, also known as Maunavhathu, will be without their Zimbabwean playmaker, Tatenda Tavengwa, on Saturday. The utility player received a red card during their league game against Milford FC at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban last Sunday. Bongolwethu Siyasi, Zebulon Mtsweni, and Lerato Mofokeng are expected to step up in Tavengwa's absence.
VFC's performance has improved significantly since the appointment of Mr Stanford Nkoane as head coach three weeks ago. Nkoane stated that while his primary goal was to save the team from relegation, it was equally important for them to excel in the Nedbank campaign. He emphasised that performing well in the Nedbank Cup would boost the players' morale in league matches and help restore the team's lost pride.
The defending champions, Orlando Pirates, will face Richards Bay FC at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban on Sunday. Meanwhile, Polokwane City will host the amateur side, The Bees FC, at Polokwane's Old Peter Mokaba Stadium. Magesi FC will take on Supersport FC at the same venue next Tuesday evening, 28 January.