Kaizer Chiefs skipper Jimmy Tau will use the Nedbank Cup to push for a place in the Bafana Bafana squad for the Soccer World Cup.
The Amakhosi captain and rightback, has been outstanding this year and played a pivotal role in helping Chiefs claim the Telkom Knockout Cup last weekend via a 2-1 win over Ajax in Durban.
Tau now leads a fired up Chiefs side bubbling with confidence against Absa Premiership champions SuperSport United in their first round Nedbank Cup clash at the Rand Stadium on Sunday.
“I have never given up hope of playing for Bafana at the World Cup in June. I was happy with my form in the Knockout and aim to work harder and make sure I impress the national coach,” said Tau.
While Tau and his teammates are on cloud nine, SuperSport are struggling to find the form that made them Premiership champions for the past three seasons.
United coach Gavin Hunt, who watched Chiefs defeat Ajax, admitted his side are the underdogs.
“Chiefs have a great cup pedigree and frankly, they are a different side in cup competitions. They really rise to the occasion when it comes to cups and we are facing a tough, tough battle”, he said.
Hunt said he will be forced to make eight changes to the side that defeated Chiefs 2-0 in the league for this encounter, due to players on duty for Bafana in their training camp in Germany and injuries.
The latest casualty is flying winger Daine Klate who was dropped by Parreria for the camp in Germany after attending the month-long camp in Brazil that ended last weekend.
Klate has a niggling injury and according to Hunt is doubtful.
SuperSport have been on the slide since losing 3-0 to AmaZulu in their final league match on May 6.
No use complaining
Said Hunt: “What you see is what you get. There is no use complaining about why my side is depleted and struggling. We face a big test on Sunday and need to rise to the occasion.”
Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic, had feared the return of Klate and United’s Liberian striker Anthony Laffor, but Laffor has been well below his best this season.
Hunt is not spoilt for choice; Laffor, Mozambique international Dario Monteiro, Thabo Mongalo and Ugandan international Brian Umony, will battle it out for the two places in the attack, but none of them have put their hands up in the place of injured Glen Salmon.
Vermezovic is likely to field the same or similar side that beat Ajax, with Mandla Masango and Knowledge Musona being the main threat to the United defence.
Ambitious Mamelodi Sundowns, who finished runners up to SuperSport in the league, face a David and Goliath scenario when they play lower league outfit Island United, at the Ulundi Stadium, also on Sunday.
Although cup upsets can be expected this weekend the unknown Island minnows should not trouble Downs too much.
On Friday night BidVest Wits face a stern test against Nathi Lions at the Chatsworth Stadium in Durban. Lions qualified for the PSL promotion playoffs where they lost to Mpumalanga Black Aces in the playoff semifinals and could upset the unpredictable Students who have not had the best of seasons in the PSL.
There will be two all-Premiership clashes on Saturday night. At Dobsonville unpredictable Moroka Swallows host Golden Arrows while at the Harry Gwala Stadium, Maritzburg United host the KwaZulu Natal neighbours AmaZulu. Both matches kick-off at 8.15pm. — Sapa