Bafana Dlamini, EC Bees’ former South African U23 midfielder, is not in the least fazed about playing against former African champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
Dlamini, who also played for Chippa United and Mthatha Bucks, said having played with the likes of Brazilians’ midfielder Thapelo Morena, and defender Madisha Motjeka would work to his team’s advantage, as they seek to progress in the lucrative cup competition.
“I have played with some of their players in the national team and I know them well, and I have seen the way they play.
“And we as a team are ready for them because we have been doing all kinds of preparations.
“And I think my experiences with some of their guys will help us a lot as a team – hence we will go into this game having an idea of what to expect from them.”
Dlamini said they had to play against the best to be the best.
He said the only downside was going against a champion coach in Pitso ‘Jingles’ Mosimane.
“That’s the only thing that’s troubling us at night. Coach Pitso is a very professional coach and he’s won everything I can think of, so he knows how to handle clubs in our level (ABC Motsepe League).
“He (Pitso) can anticipate the way the teams in our league play and even at a higher level, so we just have to go into this game and show the country what we have to offer and not worry about anything.”
He said if the Chloorkop-based outfit gets hold of their match visuals against Mariveni it was nothing to be concerned of. They plan to stick to their plans.
“We’ve also done that. We looked at their last game because we always see them and they are doing very well in the league.
“And their tempo is very high but we also have a high tempo and we’ll give this game our best shot.”
Dlamini, who left Bucks last season, said his experience in top-flight football has helped him play a mentoring role to the U19 players in the Bees camp.
“When I get the chance to play I always try and show them how to create chances, and they always consult me on many things, and that’s encouraging to me as well.
“Because at the end I’m also learning from them as well. When I played professionally I was young too, and I had older guys giving me advice too.”
Yesterday Bees were playing catch-up in the ABC Motsepe League as they took on Spears in Bizana.
“We are still focused and if you check the log-standings you’ll see that we are at third position with 38 points. So I don’t think we have been distracted at all.”
Dlamini to stir up hornet’s nest at Downs
Dlamini, who also played for Chippa United and Mthatha Bucks, said having played with the likes of Brazilians’ midfielder Thapelo Morena, and defender Madisha Motjeka would work to his team’s advantage, as they seek to progress in the lucrative cup competition.
“I have played with some of their players in the national team and I know them well, and I have seen the way they play.
“And we as a team are ready for them because we have been doing all kinds of preparations.
“And I think my experiences with some of their guys will help us a lot as a team – hence we will go into this game having an idea of what to expect from them.”
Dlamini said they had to play against the best to be the best.
He said the only downside was going against a champion coach in Pitso ‘Jingles’ Mosimane.
“That’s the only thing that’s troubling us at night. Coach Pitso is a very professional coach and he’s won everything I can think of, so he knows how to handle clubs in our level (ABC Motsepe League).
“He (Pitso) can anticipate the way the teams in our league play and even at a higher level, so we just have to go into this game and show the country what we have to offer and not worry about anything.”
He said if the Chloorkop-based outfit gets hold of their match visuals against Mariveni it was nothing to be concerned of. They plan to stick to their plans.
“We’ve also done that. We looked at their last game because we always see them and they are doing very well in the league.
“And their tempo is very high but we also have a high tempo and we’ll give this game our best shot.”
Dlamini, who left Bucks last season, said his experience in top-flight football has helped him play a mentoring role to the U19 players in the Bees camp.
“When I get the chance to play I always try and show them how to create chances, and they always consult me on many things, and that’s encouraging to me as well.
“Because at the end I’m also learning from them as well. When I played professionally I was young too, and I had older guys giving me advice too.”
Yesterday Bees were playing catch-up in the ABC Motsepe League as they took on Spears in Bizana.
“We are still focused and if you check the log-standings you’ll see that we are at third position with 38 points. So I don’t think we have been distracted at all.”
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