Little-known Paarl United [Ammar Academy] will be looking to continue in the tradition of the giant killers, hoping to oust Maritzburg United in their Nedbank Cup last-32 clash at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu, Durban, on Sunday (15:00).
The coach of the fourth division side, Paarl United, Edward Malunga Fiyaka, stated that he is backing his troops to beat Maritzburg. Fiyaka said the mood in the Paarl camp is high as they head into the Maritzburg game with four wins and a draw in their last five games in the SAFA Hollywoodbets Regional League.
“Preparations are going well; the boys are excited and ready for the game against Maritzburg,” Fiyaka told SN24. “We don’t know much about them as it is difficult to get clips of their games, but we won’t underestimate Maritzburg United. They are a former Premiership team, but I can say it is a fair enough draw for us, and I’m happy with it.
“After the draw, I followed Maritzburg, trying to see some of their games, and I saw a few highlights of how they play, but you know, with highlights, they don’t show you everything, we are preparing but we don’t know anything about them which makes it a bit tricky, but I would rather concentrate on my team than to focus more on them.
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As such, Fiyaka’s main goal is to ensure his men gain promotion to the ABC Motsepe League, he says the Nedbank Cup is also a priority for Paarl. Paarl, from the Western Cape, will be travelling to KwaZulu-Natal with nothing on their mind but victory.
“I want to approach Nedbank Cup as a Cup final, each game. My top aim is to win the league, but we are fortunate and happy to be part of the Nedbank Cup Last 32, so playing at this level is like a cup final, so we take the tournament seriously as well.
“I believe we can pull off a surprise on Sunday, we are here to fight, we are in a war and the mood in camp is high but I told my boys not to get too much excited as things won’t go according to plan.”