Daine Klate reckons Bidvest Wits will have to be tactically and technically disciplined if they are to win their MTN8 semi-final, first leg clash against Ajax Cape Town at Coetzenburg Stadium in Stellenbosch today (kick-off 8.15pm).
The Clever Boys go into the encounter with a psychological edge over their opponents, after having beaten them 2-1 in their opening Absa Premiership match last weekend.
Klate, who registered his first goal for the Clever Boys in their 3-1 win against SuperSport United in the quarter-finals, said Wits will need to work hard.
“It’s going to be a tough one, that’s for sure,” Klate said.
“Yes, we beat them (2-1) in our opening match (of the Absa Premiership), but that doesn’t necessarily mean we are going to win this one.
“They’ve got an old score to settle and we cannot afford to underestimate them.
“Our approach will have to be different from the one we used in our first game.
“We’ll have to be tactically and technically disciplined if we are to outsmart them.”
The last time Wits won this knockout competition was back in 1995, when it was called the BP Top Eight.
Wits have been on a downward slope since, falling short of making it into the final stages of this cup competition.
Last season, Wits were knocked out in the semi-finals by Orlando Pirates.
They lost 5-1 on aggregate.
Klate, who joined Wits from SuperSport on a two-year deal during this transfer window, said it was about time they turned around their trophy misfortune.
“We spoke about it (as players and the technical staff) and everybody agreed it’s about time this club won something. That’s our aim for this season – we want to win trophies.
“This team has been consistent in the past two seasons.
“This is one of the reasons why I decided to join this club. They finished third twice in a row on the (PSL) table and that speaks volumes.
“Now it’s a case of taking the club to another level.
“This is an ambitious team and they’ve been trying to win silverware.
“Hopefully new signings like Elias Pelembe, Nazeer Allie and others will help the team win something this season.
“However, there’s no pressure from management,” he said.
“But as a player, once you sign with a club you know your primary objective is to help them win something, even though it might be a single trophy, by the end of the season.
“That’s our job as a player and that’s where we are at the moment. We would love to achieve something this season.
“However, we are not going to put ourselves under unnecessary pressure.
“We are playing well and there’s a great vibe in the club.
“The plan is to take it one game at a time and we’ll see what happens. We are cautiously optimistic.”