Chippa United will throw everything at National First Division soccer side Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in order to progress to the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup when the two sides meet on Saturday, says skipper Mark Mayambela.
The sides will face off in the last 16 of the competition at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (3pm).
Chippa qualified for the last 16 of the competition after beating Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1. The Port Elizabeth-based PSL outfit have now gone four games without a loss after breaking their 11-match winless run.
Mayambela said a win on Saturday was vital to keep the winning mentality within the team.
“I think this is the first time that we have played four games without a loss,” said the 31- year-old midfield general.
“I think it’s also a great confidence boost for us as a team, so its very important that we win the game and we progress to the next stage.
“It also helps us not to have a lot of weekends without games in between, because if we go out [of the competition] it means that on Nedbank weekend we won’t have competitive games.
“Its important for us to always have these competitive games so that we also keep our momentum, our sharpness and level high. We are really going for everything.”
The former Ajax Cape Town player said coach Clinton Larsen had not made many changes to their game plan and was approaching the game like any other league fixture.
He said this showed how important the game was and how vital a win would be.
“Football is a game of opportunities and going into this game there are a lot of opportunities for us.
“It’s an opportunity for us to extend our unbeaten run, use the game to prepare for our next league game against Golden Arrows and it’s also an opportunity for us to move from the last 16 into the competition quarterfinals.
“They are a good team. There are quality and experienced players in their team, but it’s a home game. I believe that we want to win it more than they do. We need to win it not only to progress to the quarterfinals, but also it gives us that momentum and the winning mentality within the team.”
Last season, Chippa beat ABC Motsepe League outfit Phiva Young Stars 2-0 to proceed to the next stage of the competition.
However, the Chilli Boys' journey in the tournament was short-lived and they were booted out by Free State Stars after losing 2-1 in the last-16 stage.