As they stand on the cusp of history on Saturday afternoon, Black Leopards coach Sunday Chidzambwa has urged his team to look beyond the Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, 3pm on Saturday) and cast their eyes into Africa.
By qualifying for the final, Leopards are guaranteed a place in the African Confederation Cup next year but the club management have yet to formally announce their intention to compete in the continental sojourn.
Chidzambwa, however, says Lidoda Duvha must not even think twice about taking up the opportunity. “I think it’s a good challenge for the team. It will be good first-time experience for most of the players. I have experienced coaching in African club competitions with Dynamos in Zimbabwe and it was great,” he said.
Chidzambwa also dismissed assertions of poverty often peddled by SA teams reluctant to enlist in continental championships. “It is a fallacy that money is a problem when you go into these competitions. As I said, I have taken Dynamos of Zimbabwe into one of them, and Zimbabwean clubs are not as well off compared to SA teams. There are sponsors here but in Zimbabwe teams have to rely on some subsidy from government when they enter these competitions.”
The good news for Leopards is that the PSL will come to the party should they decide to enter the Confederation Cup as expected, with the league set to pledge a maximum of R1-million to cover travel costs.
Chidzambwa welcomed this initiative, but pointed out it could fall short if a team do extremely well. “If you’re going to qualify for the final, R1-million won’t be enough. You may need more sponsors if you go that far.”
While Pirates will look to conclude their exceptional season by lifting a third cup today, Leopards’ celebrations would be cut short in case they win.
They have the gruelling promotion playoffs, against three other competitors, to look forward to beginning on June 8, and Chidzambwa believes Lidoda Duvha have what it takes to fight successfully on both fronts.
“It would be remarkable if we won the cup and then promotion. It’s not impossible, but we know what our objectives are. For now we have been focused on the Nedbank Cup, then we can take on the playoffs. I would be happy if we achieve both our objectives.”
Pirates will, however, take some stopping in Mpumalanga on Saturdday, not least after their title-snatching drama of last week.
Saturday’s match could well spell the end for Ruud Krol, who has not been offered a new contract and could yet price himself out of Pirates’ range if he annexes a third trophy.
A question regarding his future beyond Saturday this week turned Krol into a grumpy fellow, but he promised to comment as soon as the final whistle is blown at Mbombela.
Pirates will have to guard against Leopards’ attack, which has surprisingly been one of the most potent in the competition, rattling the net 10 times in four games leading up to today’s final. By comparison, Bucs have netted six goals, with three of their games settled through a 1-0 scoreline.
“We know they have been scoring goals but we have plans to combat that. We are also on a different level,” Krol pointed out.
Pirates do out-perform Leopards when it comes to defence – the Limpopo club have yet to keep out opposing attacks in this competition, conceding at least a goal in each of their previous games.
They have also had an easier run-in, having had only Vasco Da Gama as top-flight opposition in the quarter-finals, while Bucs had to contend with Mamelodi Sundowns as early as the opening round.