Staff Reporter.
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) will go head to head with Chippa United in the 2020-21 Nedbank Cup final at the Free State Stadium on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 6:00 pm CAT.
TTM go to the clash with confidence as they secured a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs in a DStv Premiership match on Tuesday.
Tshakhuma eliminated SuperSport United, Swallows FC, Black Leopards and Mamelodi Sundowns on their way to their maiden major cup final.
Dylan Kerr, Tshakhuma head coach, is determined to make history with the Limpopo side, having stressed the importance of winning the cup to his charges.
“The players have the chance to win a major cup final in their debut season. They have the opportunity to become the first club to win this trophy in Limpopo,” Kerr said.
“I told them that it is all about making history. We have something to achieve in the cup final and nobody remembers the losers.
“I hope that we can replicate or surpass our performance against Chiefs in the cup final. I told the players that it is about winning the trophy and not financial gain.”
Meanwhile, Chippa are coming into the final in good form, having secured 1-0 wins over Chiefs and Stellenbosch FC in their last two DStv Premiership matches.
Chippa reached their first-ever major cup final after eliminating Cape Town City and GladAfrican Championship sides Free State Stars, Richards Bay and Pretoria Callies.
Vladislav Heric, the Chippa head coach, has refused to disclose his former club, TTM’s weaknesses, but he is expecting a tough match against Vhadau Vha Damani.
“It is maybe unfair if I comment on the weakness or strength of an opponent, it does not belong as a public statement,” Heric said.
“But we know them, we have done our analysis, we are watching together TTM v Kaizer Chiefs today [Tuesday]. We have also watched their game against Black Leopards [on Saturday].
“So we know what they are about. They have very good players, players who run, pass and like to compete. It will be tough in the physical aspect.”
In head-to-head stats, Tshakhuma and Chippa have met twice across all competitions.
Their first-ever meeting came in the 2018/19 Nedbank Cup Last 16 game with Chippa securing a 2-0 win at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in February 2019.