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Milford out to end Sekhukhune in Ke Yona, Ya Rona dream

football28 February 2025 13:30| © Backpage TXT
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Nedbank cup trophy @ Gallo Images

Milford FC will be hoping to cause an upset when they take on Sekhukhune United in Sunday's Nedbank Cup Last 16 match at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu, Durban.

CURRENT FORM

The Stallions, who were given a bye in the Round of 32 after Royal AM were removed from the tournament by PSL, are winless in their last three matches in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, having lost 5-1 to Highbury on 21 February.

Milford will be featuring in the Nedbank Cup Last 16 for the second year running, having lost to Stellenbosch FC in this stage of the tournament last season and they will be hoping to make the quarterfinals for the first time in the club's history.

Meanwhile, Sekhukhune are wounded at the moment after seeing their three-match unbeaten run in the Betway Premiership come to an end when they suffered a 4-2 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns on 26 February.

Babina Noko eliminated Cape Town City in the Round of 32 on 27 January and having reached the 2023 Nedbank Cup final, the Limpopo side will be keen to go one step further and win this season's tournament.

TEAM NEWS

With head coach Mandla Qhogi suspended, Milford will be under the guidance of club owner Xanti Pupuma, who masterminded the team's shocking win over Kaizer Chiefs in last season's Nedbank Cup Round of 32 match.

Sekhukhune United, on the other hand, will be boosted by the availability of Sipho Mbule, who was suspended against Mamelodi Sundowns, but his teammate Njabulo Ngcobo is still out nursing an injury.

The winner between Milford and Sekhukhune will take on Mamelodi Sundowns in a quarterfinal match at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on 8 March.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Mildford FC

“After a string of bad results, we as Milford Football Club have decided to suspend our head coach, Mr Mandla Qhogi and his technical staff indefinitely," a club statement read.

“We will work on finding a way forward during this suspension. The chairman, Dr Xanti BS Pupuma, will take charge of the team during this suspension.”

Sekhukhune United head coach Lehlohonolo Seema

“Every game that we play, we want to win. We are going there (to Durban) on Sunday. We are not going to take that team (Milford) for granted at all,” Seema said.

“We know that previously they won a game against a PSL team (Kaizer Chiefs), so we are taking this game very seriously, and we are going to Durban to fight, we know that it’s not going to be easy. But there’s a lot of positives that we took here [against Mamelodi Sundowns lost].”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Siphosethu Ndlabi, Milford: The 30-year-old attacker has netted in each of his last three matches in the Motsepe Foundation Championship and he could be the player to propel the Stallions into the quarterfinals.

Keletso Makgalwa, Sekhukhune United: Boasting four assists and two goals in his last four matches, the diminutive player has the ability to single-handedly inspire Babina Noko to a win in KwaZulu-Natal.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between Milford FC and Sekhukhune United.

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