The Botshabelo-based men’s football outfit Mathaithai FC is on the brink of making history in this year’s Nedbank Cup by securing a slot in the last-16 group.
This Free State second-tier side will face off against NC Professionals FC from the Northern Cape in the quest for cup glory.
The big match is scheduled to take place at Tafel Lager Park in Kimberley, with the winner thereof progressing to the last-16 group stage. Kick-off is at 15:00.
The two teams are among the eight clubs in the ABC Motsepe League looking to make a name for themselves. These clubs qualified for the last-32 group stage by winning preliminary matches played last year.
Mathaithai secured a spot by beating Mikhado FC by 1 – 0 at the Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton in November. The Professionals, from Kathu, beat opponents Real Madrid FC by 4 – 1 to advance to this stage of the tournament.
Both Mathaithai and the Professionals avoided premiership giants during the cup draw conducted in January. The draw looks relatively favourable for both minnows.
Mathaithai debuted in the championship last year and their opponents in 2019, when they lost by 2 – 1 against Mbombela United from Mpumalanga.
“It is an incentive for the players to reach this stage of the tournament,” said Robert Sebastian, coach-owner of the team.
“We are hoping to give our best against Mathaithai, and it will be a further incentive to progress to the last-16 group stage. Our focus is to build on the momentum to challenge for promotion to the professional rank.”
Sebastian will depend on experienced players to beat the industrious Free State opponents. These are the likes of former Bloemfontein Celtic winger Vuyane Ntanga, Charles Molopo and Thabiso Mhlanga, who featured in 2019.
“Mathaithai have proven they are competitive, having won against opponents from other provinces to reach this stage of the tournament. We therefore will not underestimate them.”
Mathaithai qualified for the last-32 group stage for the second consecutive year. However, the club was denied a chance to compete further after Safa decided to withdraw all its affiliated teams from further participation in the tournament, citing the second wave of Covid-19.
