Pretoria University soccer coach Steve Barker has a huge challenge ahead.
The First Division giant killers were paired against relegation haunted Premier Soccer League outfit Bloemfontein Celtic, when the draw for the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup was made in Johannesburg on Monday.
The challenge for Barker is for him to keep his players’ feet on the ground after they scored a sensational 4-3 win over cup favourites Kaizer Chiefs at the Super Stadium last weekend.
Said Barker: ”The big challenge is for me to make sure the players heads stay out of the clouds. Make no mistake, it was a fantastic result beating Chiefs, but more important is our next league match against Dynamos, which is a must-win game for us as we are determined to win promotion to the PSL.”
But the historic win over Chiefs has given the former Wits midfielder confidence that Tuks can go the whole way to the final.
”I was delighted to draw a home game. What is in our favour is Celtic are fighting relegation and we are playing at home. But having said that, we are pushing for promotion which is our priority. However, after beating Chiefs the players believe they can reach the Cup final. I also believe we can get to the final and win it, but first I need three points from Dynamos next month.”
Barker is keen to play at the Super Stadium, but PSL chief operations officer, Ronnie Schloss, said neither the Super Stadium nor Loftus Versfeld will be available because both pitches are being reseeded.
But the other options would be to play the match at the Pilditch Stadium, west of Pretoria, or at Tukkies’ rugby stadium, which has a capacity of 10 000, according to Barker.
Celtic have a massive following and said Barker: ”I love watching the Celtic fans. They show tremendous passion, they are good for the game and we are looking forward to entertaining them at home.”
Phunya Sele-Sele manager, Khumbulani Konco, said: ”We have no complaints with the draw but we have said from day one our priority is staying in the PSL.”
Platinum Stars, who dumped holders Mamelodi Sundowns out of the Cup, are away to Black Leopards who are bottom of the First Division.
Said Stars CEO Ian Riddick: ”I am glad we avoided Ajax Cape Town and Celtic. Leopards are struggling for survival in the First Division and their focus will be trying to avoid relegation. It is a good draw for us, even playing in the heat of the Thohoyandou Stadium does not worry us as we play a lot of our home matches in Mmabatho, which is also a hot region.”
Leopards spokesperson Chief Thidiela said: ”This quarterfinal could work for or against us due to the relegation issue. But we will make sure it works for us and boost our hopes of staying up by having a good Cup run.”
In an all-PSL tie Moroka Swallows host Maritzburg United and Polokwane-based First Division side Winners Park, entertain Ajax Cape Town.
The matches will be played on April 11 and 12. The PSL will announce dates and venues on Tuesday. — Sapa