Mamelodi Sundowns’ Manqoba Mngqithi and Marumo Gallants' Dan Malesela Share Thoughts Before Nedbank Cup Final

• Manqoba Mngqithi has urged his Mamelodi Sundowns players to not underestimate Marumo Gallants today
• Marumo Gallants will be looking to defend their Nedbank Cup title against treble-chasing Mamelodi Sundowns
• Mamelodi Sunwonds and Marumo Gallants will meet at Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Rustenburg for the final

The final of the Nedbank Cup takes centre stage today as Marumo Gallants and Mamelodi Sundowns meet at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

Marumo Gallants will be looking to defend their title while Mamelodi Sundowns are intent on securing a domestic treble.

The two sides will face off in the final today at 6 pm, and the coaches of both sides have shared their thoughts on the huge encounter.

Mamelodi Sundowns go into the game as favourites but Masandawana co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi admits that it is difficult of having the tag of being favourites, Sowetan LIVE reported.

“This is probably one of the most difficult matches that you ever play as a coach. I was telling the players that the most important thing about the game we're playing against Marumo is to have the highest level of respect for the game and for the opponents,” he said.

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Mngqithi added that they were not entitled to win any match and were playing against a very good team.

“To be honest, they may be seen as underdogs, they've got a lot of players who can play for Sundowns any day,” he added.

Marumo Gallants on the other hand are excited about the encounter and believe that they can pull off an upset. Playmaker, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo recently spoke about his team’s chances of defending their title.

Gallants head coach Dan “Dance” Malesela said that today was all about the players and not his own personal glory. Malesela previously won the trophy with TS Galaxy in 2019 and will be looking to repeat the feat with Gallants, The Citizen reported.

“I avoid working on personal glory because it is a team thing and it cannot be about me even though it would be nice to have the second trophy. I don’t put pressure on the players about my personal achievements because it won’t be fair on them,” Malesela said.

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Malesela added that the game plan for the final did not revolve around how Sundowns play but instead focused on what his team could achieve.

“We have to play to make our opponents weak and we will have to try and patch up where we can but the main thing is to focus on ourselves and not look at Sundowns,” he added.

Win or lose, Gallants will also be representing South Africa in the CAF Confederation Cup next season. The winners of the Nedbank Cup qualify for the Confederation Cup.

Sundowns will compete in the CAF Champions League, though, as league winners, meaning that Gallants automatically qualify for the continental tournament.

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Musa, a car salesman from Pietermaritzburg, has been spotted at a Mamelodi Sundowns game on more than one occasion, holding up a sign saying, "I love you Thandeka Mngadi."

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Mamelodi Sundowns has very high standards, with these slipping a little in recent weeks not long after winning a fifth consecutive DStv Premiership title.

The Brazilians have conceded six goals in their last three meetings at an average of two a match. These came against Kaizer Chiefs (1-1), Stellenbosch FC (0-3) and Royal AM (3-2).

As per SowetanLIVE, this has not sat well with co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi.