Mthatha Bucks are gunning for nothing short of eliminating AmaZulu in their Nedbank Cup last 32 tonight.
The two teams clash in crossover division match at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban.
Bucks are smarting from a 1-0 loss to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in their National First Division clash at Thohoyandou Stadium last weekend while AmaZulu emerged with a morale-boosting 2-1 win in derby against Lamontville Golden Arrows in a Premier Soccer League fixture.
But that has not reduced Bucks goalpoacher Linda Bhengu into thinking his side will be in for a whipping tonight.
“It’s very important for us to win this game, even though I haven’t been lucky with getting goals, something will give tonight. We have to win at all cost,” he says.
Bhengu is perfectly placed to offer an objective analysis as he was once on the books of Usuthu before switching over to Amathol’amnyama where he is yet to prove his goalscoring prowess.
“I was playing with about 90% of the players at AmaZulu and even though I don’t know what style their coach will come with, I do know they will all be problematic to us,” he said.
Bhengu said the negative result against Limpopo-based Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila will have no bearing tonight.
And if he is tasked with the duties of banging the goals he will not hesitate to grab the opportunity with both hands.
“The spirit in the camp is at an all-time high and everything is looking good and we are feeling confident about making it into the last 16 teams in the Nedbank .”
Bhengu has football genes running through his veins as he is the younger brother of former Bafana Bafana international Phumelele Bhengu.
While he is yet to come out of the shadows of his sibling, he does not doubt his ability.
And the difference in class between Bucks and AmaZulu does not concern him either.
“The fact that AmaZulu play in the PSL while we campaign in the NFD means absolutely nothing,” he says.
In fact if anything the Nedbank Cup has proven over the years as the competition giving opportunities to the Davids toppling the Goliaths.
Bucks are currently in the relegation zone on the log-standings on 15th spot with 18 points.
“Winning this game can open a lot of doors for us as players and the team itself such as the economic spin-offs of participating in this tournament.
“We have a full team, even the guys who had injuries are back into the fold now.”
Bucks plan to attack AmaZulu from the opening whistle and not give them a chance to settle into their game.
“Because we as players know that every opponent can be dangerous so we need to make sure that we’re on top of the game from the first whistle.”
Bucks beat Uthongathi in the preliminary stage of the Nedbank Cup , when they came from behind to seal a 2-1 extra-time win and know what it’s like to win in Cup competition..
Bucks are in mean mood for big clash
The two teams clash in crossover division match at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban.
Bucks are smarting from a 1-0 loss to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in their National First Division clash at Thohoyandou Stadium last weekend while AmaZulu emerged with a morale-boosting 2-1 win in derby against Lamontville Golden Arrows in a Premier Soccer League fixture.
But that has not reduced Bucks goalpoacher Linda Bhengu into thinking his side will be in for a whipping tonight.
“It’s very important for us to win this game, even though I haven’t been lucky with getting goals, something will give tonight. We have to win at all cost,” he says.
Bhengu is perfectly placed to offer an objective analysis as he was once on the books of Usuthu before switching over to Amathol’amnyama where he is yet to prove his goalscoring prowess.
“I was playing with about 90% of the players at AmaZulu and even though I don’t know what style their coach will come with, I do know they will all be problematic to us,” he said.
Bhengu said the negative result against Limpopo-based Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila will have no bearing tonight.
And if he is tasked with the duties of banging the goals he will not hesitate to grab the opportunity with both hands.
“The spirit in the camp is at an all-time high and everything is looking good and we are feeling confident about making it into the last 16 teams in the Nedbank .”
Bhengu has football genes running through his veins as he is the younger brother of former Bafana Bafana international Phumelele Bhengu.
While he is yet to come out of the shadows of his sibling, he does not doubt his ability.
And the difference in class between Bucks and AmaZulu does not concern him either.
“The fact that AmaZulu play in the PSL while we campaign in the NFD means absolutely nothing,” he says.
In fact if anything the Nedbank Cup has proven over the years as the competition giving opportunities to the Davids toppling the Goliaths.
Bucks are currently in the relegation zone on the log-standings on 15th spot with 18 points.
“Winning this game can open a lot of doors for us as players and the team itself such as the economic spin-offs of participating in this tournament.
“We have a full team, even the guys who had injuries are back into the fold now.”
Bucks plan to attack AmaZulu from the opening whistle and not give them a chance to settle into their game.
“Because we as players know that every opponent can be dangerous so we need to make sure that we’re on top of the game from the first whistle.”
Bucks beat Uthongathi in the preliminary stage of the Nedbank Cup , when they came from behind to seal a 2-1 extra-time win and know what it’s like to win in Cup competition..
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