11 Feb 2015

Township Rollers players have promised to leave no stone unturned when they meet Kaizer Chiefs in a CAF Champions league game billed for Soccer City on Valentine’s day.

The technical team would have less job to do in terms of motivating the players, since the game would be a motivator.

After attending the team’s training on Tuesday, one would confidently say Kaizer Chiefs should take Popa for granted at their own peril. The players were beaming with confidence and concentration level was at its peak, as every player executed his role well. 

The technical bench consisting of head coach Madinda Ndlovu, Teenage Mpote, Zachariah Mudzadzi and Joseph Maposa was busy with the tactics to ensure that nothing was left to chance.

Former Mamelodi Sundown’s player Manqoba 'Shakes' Ngwenya will be expected to lead the team by, giving them tips here and there. In an interview Ngwenya said he had a lot of faith in his team mates.

He said he was confident that they could match Kaizer Chiefs given that both teams would field 11 players each. “We are champions in Botswana and they are champions in South Africa, I don’t think we should fear them, that’s what I have been trying to emphasis to the players throughout this weeks.”

Ngwenya said he had been telling the players that they could match Kaizer Chiefs and ultimately beat them in their own turf, adding that their win or loss will be determined by players’ attitude on the day.

The Soweto born attacking midfielder said he told his team-mates that this time around, they should focus and desist from idolising their opponents, adding that he was confident that players like Kobamelo ‘Swere’ Kebaikanye could match the likes of George Lebese. 

Ngwenya said they are going to South Africa to compete and would not disappoint their supporters.

Another player, Motsholetsi Sikele said they were going to Soccer City to compete and eventually come with better results, adding they were not going to give their opponents respect in the field.

“We are going to compete not to participate, they are players like us, we are not in CAF by default, we are there because we are champions, we want our supporters to attend the game in large numbers and we won’t disappoint them,” he said.

Rollers captain Skhana ‘Nandos’ Koko said players were aware that they were going to play against a big club, which had rich history like Township Rollers. He said players were determined and ready to represent the nation. 

The captain said they had been working  hard preparing for the game, adding that he was aware that it was not going to be an easy game.

“Chiefs is not a closed book to us, we always watch them and we know their style of play.  Yes we are aware that it is a CAF game they might want to change, but I know our technical team we will be able to match their change since they cannot overhaul, therefore we will be able to catch up with them,” he said. ENDS