Tornado FC owner Simphiwo “Mawawa” Nyobo is convinced his charges will pull off a major upset against Orlando Pirates when the two sides meet in a Nedbank Cup last-32 clash tomorrow night at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
The Mdantsane outfit finally wrapped up their preparations at their home ground – Sisa Dukashe Stadium – in Mdantsane yesterday before jetting off to the City of Gold today at 12pm.
According to Nyobo, the game is going to be a battle of the minds between the two coaches, Tornado’s Jerry Sikhosana and his “Sea Robbers” counterpart, Eric Tinkler, who are both former premier league and Bafana Bafana legends.
As expected, Nyobo put his money on Sikhosana to emerge victorious in the battle of the minds. So confident of victory is the visionary club boss, that he is already thinking about a possible venue in case they have a home game in the last 16.
Nyobo is worried about the poor state of the Sisa Dukashe pitch, which he believes would force them to play such a game outside Mdantsane and even possibly outside East London, given similar problems at Buffalo City stadium. The absence of Pirates’ Lehlohonolo Majoro in tomorrow’s game after being red-carded at the weekend, will be a plus for the visitors said Nyobo, as their defenders would be able to handle the likes of Lennox Bacela, who is likely to pair up with Kermit Erasmus upfront for the Buccaneers.
Their rejoicing over Majoro’s unavailability for the game, perhaps was due to a not so convincing Tornado defence which can become very exposed at times.
“Jerry’s arrival at this club turned it into a mean machine and I believe the boys have what it takes to pull off an upset in this one ...and what I like is that the boys are really fired up for the game.
“One of the best things the coach has done well working with these boys is to prepare these boys mentally above everything, their mental fitness is impressive,” said Nyobo.
During a visit by the Daily Dispatch at a light training session at Sisa Dukashe, Sikhosana had a more than 30 minute talk with his players after practice.
“Players respect him and the spirit of harmony and mutual respect in the team is amazing.”
Nyobo added: “It’s going to be about who is smarter than the other when it comes to the coaches but by the end of the game I know who will be boss. We have capable players who can match our opponents pound for pound in every department so there is no reason we cannot win.”
At the heart of Tornado’s planning lies one Sifiso “Xavi” Siluma, a talented midfielder, who is gifted with defensive and attacking prowess; and accurate passing skills that may prove too much to handle for the opposition.
Siluma’s playing style is very similar to that of the opponents’ Oupa Manyisa, himself a highly influential footballer, fresh from a man-of-the-match performance at the weekend. This match is therefore going to be a huge battle for the teams and the result is surely going to ultimately be determined on who wins the fight in the middle of the park.
The versatility of Godfrey Chauke, who can play both in central defender’s or defensive midfield role, will also come in handy for Sikhosana’s charges.
Chauke is aggressive, big and strong. An added plus, is that he is also good in the air, and has potential to bulldoze Pirates’ attacking midfielders when playing the role of hardman.
The relatively young and inexperienced Tornado squad will also be looking at Andile Ndongeni, also a midfielder, to make up for the lack of experience.
Tornado’s attacking players are a skilful bunch who can play at a high-tempo, but they will need to be clinical with their finishing if they are to emerge a David taking on a Goliath in a competition synonymous with upsets.
Come tomorrow night though, the time for talking will be over, when the fixture kicks off at 7.30pm.
Nyobo appealed to football fans to come out in numbers to give Tornado a special send-off at East London Airport today.
“We will be representing the whole of the Eastern Cape, not only Mdantsane and our mandate is to make the people of the province happy,” said Nyobo.
Tornado out to sink Bucs
The Mdantsane outfit finally wrapped up their preparations at their home ground – Sisa Dukashe Stadium – in Mdantsane yesterday before jetting off to the City of Gold today at 12pm.
According to Nyobo, the game is going to be a battle of the minds between the two coaches, Tornado’s Jerry Sikhosana and his “Sea Robbers” counterpart, Eric Tinkler, who are both former premier league and Bafana Bafana legends.
As expected, Nyobo put his money on Sikhosana to emerge victorious in the battle of the minds. So confident of victory is the visionary club boss, that he is already thinking about a possible venue in case they have a home game in the last 16.
Nyobo is worried about the poor state of the Sisa Dukashe pitch, which he believes would force them to play such a game outside Mdantsane and even possibly outside East London, given similar problems at Buffalo City stadium. The absence of Pirates’ Lehlohonolo Majoro in tomorrow’s game after being red-carded at the weekend, will be a plus for the visitors said Nyobo, as their defenders would be able to handle the likes of Lennox Bacela, who is likely to pair up with Kermit Erasmus upfront for the Buccaneers.
Their rejoicing over Majoro’s unavailability for the game, perhaps was due to a not so convincing Tornado defence which can become very exposed at times.
“Jerry’s arrival at this club turned it into a mean machine and I believe the boys have what it takes to pull off an upset in this one ...and what I like is that the boys are really fired up for the game.
“One of the best things the coach has done well working with these boys is to prepare these boys mentally above everything, their mental fitness is impressive,” said Nyobo.
During a visit by the Daily Dispatch at a light training session at Sisa Dukashe, Sikhosana had a more than 30 minute talk with his players after practice.
“Players respect him and the spirit of harmony and mutual respect in the team is amazing.”
Nyobo added: “It’s going to be about who is smarter than the other when it comes to the coaches but by the end of the game I know who will be boss. We have capable players who can match our opponents pound for pound in every department so there is no reason we cannot win.”
At the heart of Tornado’s planning lies one Sifiso “Xavi” Siluma, a talented midfielder, who is gifted with defensive and attacking prowess; and accurate passing skills that may prove too much to handle for the opposition.
Siluma’s playing style is very similar to that of the opponents’ Oupa Manyisa, himself a highly influential footballer, fresh from a man-of-the-match performance at the weekend. This match is therefore going to be a huge battle for the teams and the result is surely going to ultimately be determined on who wins the fight in the middle of the park.
The versatility of Godfrey Chauke, who can play both in central defender’s or defensive midfield role, will also come in handy for Sikhosana’s charges.
Chauke is aggressive, big and strong. An added plus, is that he is also good in the air, and has potential to bulldoze Pirates’ attacking midfielders when playing the role of hardman.
The relatively young and inexperienced Tornado squad will also be looking at Andile Ndongeni, also a midfielder, to make up for the lack of experience.
Tornado’s attacking players are a skilful bunch who can play at a high-tempo, but they will need to be clinical with their finishing if they are to emerge a David taking on a Goliath in a competition synonymous with upsets.
Come tomorrow night though, the time for talking will be over, when the fixture kicks off at 7.30pm.
Nyobo appealed to football fans to come out in numbers to give Tornado a special send-off at East London Airport today.
“We will be representing the whole of the Eastern Cape, not only Mdantsane and our mandate is to make the people of the province happy,” said Nyobo.
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