Spurs excited by chance to face cup kings Pirates

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) launched the 16-team Carling Black Label Knockout on Tuesday in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, with Cape Town Spurs excited about their fixture against Orlando Pirates.

Spurs recently parted ways with their head coach Shaun Bartlett following a bad start to the season, and are looking to change their fortunes around with assistant coach Vasili Manousakis and temporary head coach Sean Connor.

Spurs have lost eight out of eight DStv Premiership matches up to now.

Manousakis reckons the tournament will give them an opportunity to show their strength.

‘It’s a very good draw’

“It’s a very good draw, an interesting draw. Pirates have just won a trophy, and they will surely be looking forward to doing well in this competition as well. There has been some changes in the team, and we are all hoping to make things better. It hasn’t been a good start for us, but there is still a long way to go,” said the Spurs assistant.

“It’s a very good and exciting tournament and we are all hoping to do well. Nothing is impossible in football, so, our fixture against Pirates is a very interesting one. They are one of the big teams in the country, and like I said, they have just won a trophy and they will be looking to do well again in this one. But we will be prepared and we will give our all in order to make sure that we become successful.”

The new tournament which replaces the Telkom Knockout Cup, will start later in October with the prize money, dates and venues set to be announced soon.

Carling Black Label Knockout Cup fixtures

Sekhukhune United v Royal AM

Orlando Pirates v Cape Town Spurs

SuperSport United v Polokwane City

TS Galaxy v Mamelodi Sundowns

Chippa United v Stellenbosch FC

Richards Bay FC v Moroka Swallows

Kaizer Chiefs v AmaZulu FC

Golden Arrows v Cape Town City