Michaelson Ntokozo Gumede

By Ntokozo Gumede

Journalist


Phala relishes once in a lifetime opportunity

SuperSport United star player Thuso Phala has described the Caf Confederation Cup final as a once in a lifetime opportunity.


Matsatsantsa A Pitori are set to face Congolese side TP Mazembe in the first-leg of the final in Lubumbashi on Sunday afternoon.

“For myself, it is the most biggest final that I will play. Finals like these come once in a while and we are aware of that and we want to rewrite history in the club and in the country by winning the competition,” Phala told reporters.

“As a club and individually, are looking forward to the opportunity to win the title,” he added.

READ: Mashamaite calm ahead of Caf Confed Cup final

Eric Tinkler had to prepare for the final without a full completion of his squad as Dean Furman, Clayton Daniels, Ronwen Williams, Morgan Gould and Bradley Grobler were all part of the Bafana Bafana squad that suffered back-to-back Fifa World Cup qualifiers defeats against Senegal.

“The mood has been very high, it has been mostly team building,” said Phala.

“Obviously we were missing some players but we have been in high spirits throughout the international break and there is a lot of positivity in the team going to the final,” he added.

READ: SuperSport stand to win R18 million in Caf prize money 

Phala, who starred in SuperSport’s 2-2 draw in Congo when the duo met in the group stages back in June, carries the confidence of knowing that Matsatsantsa are capable of coming out with a positive result Lubumbashi.

“It is a big motivation that we were two goals down and we came and scored two goals in Congo. So at the back of our minds we know that it is possible for us to score and it is possible for us not to lose the game,” said the 31-year-old winger.

READ: Tinkler hopes his men return with a clean bill of health

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