ABC Motsepe League side Dondol Stars is ready to rumble with Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals this weekend and potentially cause yet another big league upset.
Dondol has so far gotten the better of DStv’s professional sides SuperSport United and AmaZulu FC in the last 32 and 16 respectively and is now poised to make a hattrick record of yet another giant when the Mamelodi-based outfit locks horns with the Sea Robbers on Saturday at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo.
Vice team skipper Bafana Makhanya told a packed press conference at the headquarters of the Premier Soccer League, ahead of the clash, that the mood in the camp was jovial and that the boys were ready for the big match against a side he described as ‘powerful and highly decorated’.
“The boys are raring to go and learn many lessons from yet another giant of South African football as we have done with other teams that we have played so far. Ours still remains much of a learning curve than anything and that bodes well for our battle of promotion in the ABC Motsepe League.
“I cannot outrightly say we’re going to beat Pirates but we are here to learn vital lessons that we will use in our battle for promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
“We are now in sight of that dream now as we’re nine points clear of our rivals Soweto Super United and we need those lessons to carry us through,” Makhanya said.
Dondol currently commands the stakes in the log standings with 74 points to 65 from their nearest rivals with only three games left before the end of the season.
“We cannot say that dream is in the bag yet as anything can happen in football,” said Alex co-coach Vincent ‘Young Master’ Rammoni at the press conference.
The Young Master said they will only count their chicks once the eggs have hatched.
On the other hand, Pirates coach José Riveiro has sounded alarm bells by warning both his players and supporters to brace themselves for any eventuality as ‘Dondol Stars is no piece of cake’.
“We’re going to that encounter to give it our best and the best team will emerge the winner. That’s what I can tell you. I cannot tell you we are going to be victorious as I am no magician with a magic wand.”
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