Gallo Images

Lehlogonolo Masalesa of Bidvest Wits.

Expect the unexpected. This is what young BIDVest Wits midfielder Lehlogonolo Masalesa said, ahead of Saturday’sTelkom Knockout final against Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates, at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

What a cheek. The 19 year old from Mankweng, Limpopo, is yet to play in a cup competition final and hardly knows what to expect, but he already has the guts to say so.

Mind you, this is the very same youngster who only started playing regularly in the Wits starting line-up in October, having spent most of his time either watching his club’s away matches on television or from the stands when the Clever Boys were playing at home.

Not that he is disrespectful, or underestimating the Buccaneers. That’s just how the young man is.

He has never lacked self belief, nor has he doubted his talent, and even though he and his mates are coming up against a Pirates side that has played in the last four knockout competition finals, and won three of them, Masalesa still talks as though he’s been there, done that and has already worn the T-shirt.

“They (Pirates) have Bafana Bafana players in their team and they also have Benni McCarthy. They have a good team. But at the end of the day it’s what you do on the pitch. It’s good that we are the underdogs,” Masalesa said.

“This is a dream come true (playing in a final). These are the kind of moments I’ve always wanted to experience. I did not expect it to come so early in my career, but now that it’s here, I’ll make sure I make the most it,” Masalesa said.

Masalesa plays as a holding midfielder for the Clever Boys and has done well, often getting the better of more experienced players.

Should Roger De Sa start with the in-form Masalesa on Saturday, or bring him on as a substitute, the former national Under-17 captain will come up against an old friend and key player for Pirates in Oupa Manyisa – for the second time in a fortnight.

The two talented midfielders go way back having played together at Harold “Jazzy Queen” Legodi’s academy, Africa Sport, before turning professional.

“I’ve never doubted Manyisa’s talent. When he first arrived at the academy, I could see that he is a quality player. It will be great to come up against him again,” Masalesa said.

Manyisa, who will be available for the Buccaneers after missing the last two matches through injury, is also looking forward to the battle.

“He has been doing well for Wits. He is a good player and because I know him, it will make it interesting.

“We were close and used to spend time together.”

Masalesa still lives at the Africa Sport residence and says Manyisa often visits to see how his mates are doing.

“He actually came to visit before we played Pirates in the league match. He wished me good luck. I’ve known him for a long time. What I like about him is that he’s not all over the place. He is humble. We had a good battle that night, but we should remember that’s it’s not only about us in this match. We have to focus on doing well for our clubs. Wits come first.”

That night at Mbombela Stadium, Masalesa got the better of Manyisa as Wits cruised to a 3-1 victory.

“It was good playing against him (Masalesa) that night. He has been doing well for Wits and I hope he will keep working hard,” Manyisa says.

Legodi, currently the Mamelodi Sundowns assistant coach, says Manyisa is more experienced, though he feels that that does not necessarily mean he will get the better of Masalesa.

“Oupa has more experience than ‘Vieira’, who is a talented player. He has international exposure having played for the Under-17s, 20s and 23s. He has shown so much maturity. (Eric) Tinkler and Roger (De Sa) have done a good job on him. Both have been doing well. It’s going to be an interesting battle.” – Saturday Star