Coach of Durban City FC Simo Dladla. | BackpagePix
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Durban City are on a roll, and they’ll be hoping to carry that momentum forward when they square off against Marumo Gallants in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals at Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday 3pm
The men from Durban, fresh from their surprise victory over TS Galaxy, will have a real point to prove as they look to take down the Betway Premiership outfit and cement their place among South Africa's top contenders in the domestic cup competition.
Having rebranded from Maritzburg United, Durban City have clarified their intentionsa in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
They’re sitting pretty at the top of the table, on course to seal promotion to the big league. Their win over TS Galaxy in the Round of 16 was a huge upset, with City showing the kind of resilience that has been a hallmark of their campaign.
But it doesn’t stop there. They hesitantly want more. And with their eyes firmly set on another shock result, they’ll be looking to continue their magical cup run.
Meanwhile, Gallants have found themselves in a rather sticky situation in the Premiership. A lacklustre 1-0 defeat to Stellenbosch last time out leaves them dangerously hovering just above the relegation zone.
Sitting 14th, survival is their primary concern. But there’s still hope. Their win over AmaZulu in the Last 16 in February proved they can step up when it matters.
But with the Nedbank Cup at stake, Gallants will need to shed the weight of league concerns and refocus.
Siyabonga Nhlapo, the midfield engine for Gallants, knows what’s at stake and is urging his teammates to get over the disappointment of their midweek loss.
Speaking to the media, Nhlapo was clear about the task ahead.
"We can't dwell on the Stellenbosch defeat," said Nhlapo.
"We need to focus on the cup. We’ve earned our place among the final eight teams and want to push on."
Gallants have already shown their cup pedigree, but with City in such form, it promises to be a battle of wits.
“The technical team has done their homework on City, and now it’s time for us to go out and execute the game plan. We’re ready, and we’ll make sure our minds are sharp for this challenge,” Nhlapho added.
Senzo Ndlovu, nicknamed “Mbhobho”, has been a revelation over the last two seasons in the amateur ranks and earned himself a move to the top flight.
On loan from AmaZulu, Ndlovu has already made an impact, netting in the crucial win against TS Galaxy.
Expect him to be a handful for Gallants’ defence. If he gets into the right positions, City could be in for a feast of goals.
Gabadinho Mhango is no stranger to big moments. Mhango has proven himself as one of the most lethal strikers in the PSL, and with the weight of Gallants' survival hopes on his shoulders, he’ll be hoping to replicate his scoring form, like the goal he bagged against Orlando Pirates.
This will be their first ever competitive meeting, so the intrigue is real. No prior history, just two teams with different objectives, but both eyeing the same prize – a place in the semi-finals of the prestigious Nedbank Cup.