While their peers will be engaged in their league activities this weekend, Mpheni Home Defenders will be on their Nedbank Cup campaign. Home Defenders will fly to Port Elizabeth on Saturday to meet Chippa United in the top-16 stage of the prestigious tournament.
The head coach of Home Defenders, Mr Sydwell Phuravhathu, mentioned earlier this week that for them to be pitted against a DStv Premiership side was a blessing in disguise. He said that they would use the game to gauge their level of readiness for promotion.
According to him, their aim is to gain promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship at the end of the season. Home Defenders are currently shining on top of the log in the Limpopo Stream of the ABC Motsepe League with 33 points, three behind Giyani Happy Boys.
Phuravhathu, who doubles up as the chairman of the club, stressed the fact that winning the Nedbank Cup Competition will be a bonus for them. He said that he had told his players to play their normal football and enjoy the game on Saturday.
Although Phuravhathu makes it sound as if they do not take the Nedbank Cup campaign seriously, for Chippa United to take things for granted on Saturday will be a suicidal mistake. Home Defenders can face any opposition when considering the kind of football they displayed in their last-32-round game against Clarewood JPM FC. During this match, played at the Thohoyandou Stadium four weeks ago, they brutally walloped Clarewood 3-0.
Chippa's way to the last-16 stage was not an easy one. They beat Polokwane City 4-2 in their last-32-round match that was played at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. The winner was determined through a penalty shootout, following a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time.
Chippa United have been blowing hot and cold in their league games over the past few weeks. They are now lying in the fourth position from the bottom of the log, following their inconsistent performance.