Sekhukhune United captain Linda Mntambo has thrown down the gauntlet to his teammates ahead of their MTN8 quarter-final against Cape Town City at the weekend.
The two teams will battle it out for a place in the last four of the Wafa Wafa competition at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday (3pm start).
With Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC already in the mix, Babina Noko are looking to become the third ball in the semi-final bowl, with Mamelodi Sundowns and Polokwane City also set to collide on Sunday.
Mntambo, 35, has seen and done it all in the Premier Soccer League, with stints at Pirates and Chippa United in the past.
Now captain at the Limpopo-based club, he spoke to the media this week ahead of their first competitive game of the season against a dangerous Citizens outfit.
Mntambo refused to downplay the threat of the Cape side, who have also bolstered their team with the likes of Kamohelo Mokotjo (from Sekhukhune), Fortune Makaringe and Haashim Domingo.
He expects a tough test on the day, considering the improvements the visitors have made over the years as a club.
“It’s going to be an exciting fixture. We know what Cape Town City can bring on the day. Ever since they got their status from (Mpumalanga) Aces, they’ve never really changed their identity – they’ve always been a team that plays on the front foot,” he said.
“If you look at how they played last season and how they prevented Sundowns from an invincible season, that tells you how much of a good team they are.”
#MTN8 Media Open Day 🎤 🎥 📸
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Babina Noko were involved in the MTN8 for only the second time in the club’s history last season, and were bundled out of the competition in the quarter-finals.
Mntambo said they were determined to put that disappointment behind them.
“We want to book a spot into the next round because if you look at the past season, we crashed out of the first round of the MTN8 – and as a team, our mandate has always been to improve where we left off.”
Sekhukhune have been embroiled in controversy in recent days, with new coach Peter Hyballa linked with an exit from the club just five weeks into his tenure.
According to reports, the coach has already lost the support of several players, as well as staff members who were struggling to accommodate his personality.
However, Mntambo opened up about those five weeks with the new coach, and expressed how positively demanding it has been for him and his teammates on various levels.
Training O' Clock ⏰
— Sekhukhune United F.C. (@SekhukhuneFc) August 7, 2024
Gearing up for Saturday's encounter against City
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“It’s been tough. Pre-season is one tough moment in our careers because we work through a lot, because it’s demanding both mentally and physically,” he said.
“But I think it’s laying a foundation ahead of the new season. I think we’ve built a good foundation together with the new coach Peter, understanding his philosophy and everything he’s been giving us.
“I think we are ready to face Cape Town City at the weekend.”