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Kaizer Chiefs head coach Gavin Hunt has revealed that the club has added Sabelo Radebe to their first-team squad.

The promising central midfielder, who turned 21 on Wednesday, has been playing for the Amakhosi reserve team in the DStv Diski Challenge.

The Soweto giants have promoted youngsters from their academy and reserve team with the club banned from registering new players following the illegal signing of Andriamirado 'Dax' Andrianarimanana in 2018.

Hunt, who unearthed arguably South Africa's greatest striker of all-time, Benni McCarthy, has been impressed by Radebe and he hopes the youngster can play like former Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United central midfielder Thandani Ntshumayelo. 

What's been said

"I brought a guy up from the Diski team last week, well he's been here for two weeks now. I saw him play once and said, 'He's got to come to the first team,'" Hunt told the media. 

"I played him yesterday in a little friendly game, and he was outstanding. He's another [youngster coming through], so hopefully, I'm going to register him and we might put him in the team for the weekend.

"So, yeah, he's another one that's come through and we've got quite a few at the moment. His nickname is 'Bibo'. If he can play half as well as the Bibo [Thandani Ntshumayelo] I had at SuperSport [United], who I gave a chance to."

Why does it matter & what's the bigger picture?

Further reading

Odion Ighalo has posted a farewell message to Shanghai Shenhua ahead of his anticipated move to Saudi Arabian side Al Shabab.

The 31-year-old is expected to be announced as a White Lion player on Thursday after passing his medicals as well as agreeing his term with the Pro League outfit.

However, Ighalo’s Instagram post hints there will be no doubt about his switch to Carlos Inarejos’ men.

Alongside an image of himself in a Shanghai Shenhua jersey, the former Granada and Watford man wrote: “Xiexie” – which means ‘Thank You’ in Chinese.

Following Changchun Yatai’s relegation from the Chinese Super League to League One, the former Nigeria international joined the Flower of Shanghai.

There, he reunited with his former Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores under whom he enjoyed an impressive goalscoring run in his debut Premier League season.

In his maiden season at the Hongkou Football Stadium, he scored 10 times in 17 league games as well as helped the team win the 2019 Chinese FA Cup, while also making his mark on the international stage.

He scored five goals during Super Eagles’ run to the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations, including the winning strike in their third-place playoff victory over Tunisia.

Luckily, he made a shock loan move to English elite division side Manchester United as top scorer Marcus Rashford was sidelined for three months with a serious back injury.

Upon arrival at Old Trafford, Ighalo offered an insight into the frantic nature of negotiations, while claiming that he had to receive pay cut to join Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.

Having scored four goals in eight matches in all competitions - starting just three of those games, his loan extended until January 2021.

Before agreeing terms with Al Shabab, Ighalo’s representative told BBC Sport that his client had plenty of suitors.

“I can confirm that some Premier League clubs, two teams outside of England and some clubs in the Middle East have made formal enquiries,” he said.

“Of course, he said [in an interview] that the MLS could be interesting, but that is just an option outside of the strong interest received so far.”

Pitso Mosimane believes that Al Ahly can draw inspiration from Leicester City’s remarkable Premier League feat as his side prepare for their Fifa Club World Cup opener against Al Duhail.

Following their 2019-20 Caf Champions League triumph over cross-city rivals Zamalek, the North African side picked the sole ticket to represent Africa.

Should they scale the Qatari champions’ hurdle, they will square up against reigning European kings Bayern Munich in the semi-final on February 8.

Although his men are outsiders to win the competition, the South African tactician stated that the Red Devils will play to the best of their abilities and hope for the best.

"The level is the highest that it could possibly be and it's very difficult to win, but what's important is to go there and play to the best of our abilities," Mosimane was quoted by BBC Sport.

"[We want] everyone to see that we've done the best against the best teams in the world so there's nothing bigger for me and Al Ahly.

"Any coach that goes to any tournament believes that he can win it, but the reality is how do you beat Bayern Munich - who have just defeated the mighty Barcelona 8-2 on aggregate with Lionel Messi on the pitch?

"But anything is possible - Leicester City has showed you that anything is possible."

Al Ahly take on the Red Knights at the Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan on Thursday and the former Mamelodi Sundowns boss would be expecting a good game versus Sabri Lamouchi’s team that boasts of Kenya’s Michael Olunga and Morocco’s Mehdi Benatia.

The Egyptian Premier League side last participated in the annual competition in 2013. There, they bowed 2-0 to Guangzhou Evergrande in their first match thanks to second-half goals from Elkeson and Dario Conca.

In their fifth-place encounter, they were decimated 5-1 by Mexican side Monterrey with Emad Moteab getting their lone strike.

The Club World Cup was initially scheduled to be held in December 2020, but the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic – which crippled football-related activities – saw it moved to February 2021.

Al Ahly head coach Pitso Mosimane has anointed himself as the “Chosen One” as he leads the Cairo giants at the Fifa Club World Cup in Qatar.

The African champions face Al Duhail in their opening match on Thursday.

Following an early exit from the 2016 edition of the global club tournament with Mamelodi Sundowns, Mosimane is back but this time in charge of Al Ahly.

The ex-Bafana Bafana coach faces another opportunity to break barriers by guiding the Egyptians to their first ever Club World Cup title.

“It always looks impossible until somebody does it,” Mosimane told CNN.

“Can you believe that somebody from the township like me, from the background of apartheid, from the humble beginnings, can be the first person to win the Champions League in South Africa? And win it twice and become coach of the year on the continent.”

Inspiring for Mosimane is that he is yet to lose a match in 21 games since beginning work in Cairo in October 2020.

Victory over Al Duhail will see Al Ahly setting up a date with European champions Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.

Mosimane is basking under the tag of being the first sub-Sahara African coach to be appointed Al Ahly coach and boasts of himself as an anointed coach.

“I don't want to dwell so much on why [it took long for a sub-Sahara African coach to take charge at Al Ahly]. But it has happened now. I'm the one. I'm the 'Chosen One.' And what brought me here was not a political movement,” Mosimane said.

“I was brought here because of the titles that I won because I've defeated Al Ahly twice and one of the top teams here in Zamalek. And they know me. They know my name ... it has nothing to do with colour or politics.”

In his first coaching job outside South Africa, Mosimane’s ambitions are still high as he dreams of coaching in Europe in future.

He believes an African coach can successfully take charge of a European club.

“Is this a possibility? Yes,” said Mosimane. “We have to be realistic to say Europe doesn't have a lot of African coaches. I don't want to politicise this and make it a case of playing the race card, but some things need to be told as they are.

“But I just believe that a medical doctor who is from South Africa, is the same medical doctor who is in Europe. I believe an architect who has qualified in South Africa, is an architect in Europe. So I just don't understand when it comes to football coaching, why these things get looked at differently.”

For now, the South African’s focus on Al Ahly’s participation in Qatar on the background of their best outing at the Fifa Club World Cup being a bronze medal in 2006.

Tottenham will host Chelsea on Thursday for a Premier League match as Jose Mourinho is looking for a first win against his former side in a seventh attempt.

Mourinho hasn’t won any of his last six meetings with the Blues in all competitions (D3 L3). Only against Barcelona (7 between April 2011-January 2012) has he had a longer winless run against an opponent in his managerial career.

Tottenham vs Chelsea Latest Odds

Despite being the only side still unbeaten in Premier League London derbies this season, Spurs have won just one of their five such matches so far this term (D4) and the second win in six games has been tipped to happen at (3.60) with BetKing.

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last four Premier League meetings with Spurs (W3 D1) and the fourth win in five games has been considered to occur at (2.15).

A draw between the London rivals has been valued at (3.35).

Tottenham vs Chelsea Team News

Mourinho will be without Harry Kane who is suffering from an ankle strain, Dele Alli who has a tendon problem, Sergio Reguilon who is suffering from a muscle issue while a hamstring injury is set to rule out Giovani Lo Celso.

Meanwhile, Tanguy Ndombele and Serge Aurier are expected to be involved as they are back after missing the match against Brighton.

For Thomas Tuchel, he will have to wait for late assessments on Kurt Zouma and Kai Havertz who did not finish Wednesday training sessions.

Tottenham vs Chelsea Preview

Tottenham have lost two of their last three home league games against Chelsea (W1), more than they had in their previous 11 (W5 D5 L1). They haven’t lost consecutive home league games against the Blues since a run of three between April 2004-August 2005.

Spurs were one of three English teams Thomas Tuchel had faced before becoming Chelsea manager, along with Liverpool and Manchester United, all in European matches. Tuchel won both of his Europa League matches against Spurs in March 2016 as Borussia Dortmund manager, winning both legs of the last 16 of that season’s tournament.

Chelsea have lost four of their last five away league games (W1), as many as they had in their previous 16 on the road (W7 D5).

Last time out, Tuchel became the first Chelsea manager to keep a clean sheet in each of his first two Premier League games in charge since Rafael Benitez in November 2012. The last Chelsea manager to do so in his first three in the competition was José Mourinho in August 2004.

Tottenham vs Chelsea Tips and Predictions

Tottenham have netted nine goals but have not kept a clean sheet in the last five games while Chelsea have scored just six goals in the same number of games where they have also conceded three. Punters can take an offer of under 1.5 goals at (3.18) with BetKing.

Under 1.5 goals at (3.18) with BetKing.

Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.

Aymeric Laporte has hinted that a summer transfer call lies in store at Manchester City, with the French defender admitting that he may have to start weighing up his options despite being happy at the Etihad Stadium.

The 26-year-old earned himself a reputation as one of the finest ball-playing centre-halves in the Premier League after making a big-money move from Athletic Club in January 2018.

He was expected to be a long-term solution for City in what has been a problematic position at times.

Injuries and a bout of Covid-19 have, however, worked against him this season and allowed others to nail down spots in Pep Guardiola’s plans.

John Stones and Ruben Dias have become a go-to pairing for the Blues boss , leaving Laporte scratching around for minutes.

He was back in City’s starting XI for a 2-0 win over Burnley, as Guardiola went with three at the back, but it remains to be seen whether that role will be retained.

Having taken in just 12 appearances in the 2020-21 campaign, Laporte has told BT Sport : “At the moment I'm here, I'll play, we'll see what happens.

“I'm happy at Manchester City, I always thought I'd spend many years here. I hope that will happen.

“I will see what happens between now and the end of the season but for now I'm happy.”

City’s fine form has made it difficult for Laporte to force his way into a winning side.

In edging past Burnley, the Blues have stretched their run of successive victories to 13 games.

Goals have started to flow again for the Premier League leaders, after an uncharacteristically slow start to the campaign, but Laporte says a star-studded side are doing nothing different and are merely riding a momentum wave.

He added: “I don't know what we changed, the one thing we have done is winning every game. We're happy and we will try to keep on this way.

“It's important when you score. If you don't score you don't win. We have to keep this rhythm, keep not conceding many goals and try to score more than we concede.”

City would welcome a shutout and goal glut in their next outing, with Guardiola’s side set to take in a trip to Anfield on Sunday for a meeting with defending champions Liverpool.

Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani have been told that Manchester United bench duty will do them good, with Dimitar Berbatov praising “shrewd” selection calls from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Red Devils enjoyed their most productive outing of 2020-21 against Southampton on Tuesday.

With the Saints having two players sent off, United showed no mercy as they crushed their hapless Premier League foes 9-0 at Old Trafford.

World Cup winner Pogba was not needed at all against the Saints, as an in-form midfielder remained an unused substitute, while experienced frontman Cavani was taken off at half-time after recording his sixth goal for the Red Devils.

Berbatov can understand why those decisions were made, with Solskjaer looking to keep everyone fresh and firing in their ongoing title challenge.

The former United striker told Betfair: “It was good to see Anthony Martial end his drought with a couple of goals. United played well but the important thing is that they carry their momentum into Saturday's match at home to Everton.

“Pogba was on the bench against Southampton and should benefit from the rest. He has been brilliant for United for the past couple of months and will be key to their chances of winning the Premier League.

“It was also shrewd of Solskjaer to take off Cavani at half-time on Tuesday. The Uruguayan is another important player who adds a different dimension to the attack and, at 33, using him sparingly is smart.

“If United beat Everton, they can look forward to watching Sunday's massive game at Anfield between Liverpool and Man City, knowing they've put pressure on both their title rivals.

“Both two teams are starting to hit top form. I have a feeling City could edge it but, more than anything, I want to see a top of the table clash where both teams go for it and goals are scored at both ends.

“At the start of the season, everybody expected a two horse title race between City and Liverpool, but it looks like it's a three-way race and that shows how far United have come in the last year under Solskjaer. He will be hoping for both teams to drop points at Anfield and I'd love to see a 2-2 draw.”

Berbatov added on the mauling of the Saints: “I felt sorry for Southampton, who didn't stand a chance after the early sending off of Alex Jankewitz, and United were able to relax.

“For them it was simply a matter of how many goals they would score. Football can be like that sometimes and watching the match reminded me of the time I hit five at Old Trafford in a 7-1 win over Blackburn.”

United’s next two fixtures are at home as they go in search of more goals, with a clash against Everton set to be followed by an FA Cup fifth-round meeting with West Ham and former manager David Moyes.

Wazito FC Chief Executive Officer Dennis Gicheru has explained why they signed Ellie Asieche from Sofapaka.

Asieche, who left Batoto ba Mungu and signed a long-term deal with Wazito, according to Gicheru, is expected to bring his experience and help his new club become an even stronger outfit.

“He is a quality midfielder,” Gicheru said as was quoted by the club’s website.

“He brings a wealth of experience to the team and I am confident that he will thrive here. The coach recommended that we get him because he knows his qualities and we are glad to have him here, he makes our team stronger.”

Asieche, whose exit has now been explained by Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa, stated why he chose Wazito over any other club.

“Wazito were an easy choice because it is a team with a good structure,” he stated. “I also have friends in the team and I felt that it would help me settle easily. I am here to create and score goals for the team.

“I am also excited to work with coach Francis Kimanzi who understands me and I will give my best in Wazito colours,” 

Erick Otieno was another player signed by Wazito and Gicheru is confident the starlet will grow and be even better while at the club.

“Erick is a young, hungry player and I believe with the aid of our head coach and his technical team he will develop further, he will learn new things, and become a better striker,” the CEO added.

“My challenge to him is to keep working hard, let him learn as much as he can, and grow. I wish him all the best.”

Gicheru also spoke about the signing of goalkeeper Levis Opiyo and left-back John Odhiambo.

“Levis is a quality keeper who will bring competition to our goalkeeping department,” the club’s top official said. “He has played for big teams and that says a lot about his quality. I challenge him to earn his place in the team.

“We had just one left-back [Dennis Ng’ang’a] in the team,” he said on Odhiambo’s signing. “The arrival of John will bring competition to that department. He is a good player and having him on board gives our head coach options.”

Wazito had also confirmed striker Joe Waithira left after a mutual agreement with the club. 

Jesse Lingard is being backed to earn an England recall just one game into his loan at West Ham from Manchester United, with David Moyes expecting the 28-year-old to come into Gareth Southgate’s thoughts.

The Old Trafford academy graduate has earned 24 caps for his country, but the last of those came back in 2019.

Struggles for regular game time with the Red Devils saw Lingard slip down the pecking order, with James Maddison, Mason Mount and Jack Grealish rising above him.

A fresh start is, however, being embraced in east London. Lingard is set to see out the 2020-21 campaign with West Ham and marked his debut for the club with a match-winning brace in a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa.

Moyes believes renewed confidence can lead to a return being made from the international wilderness, with Southgate in the process of piecing together plans for this summer’s European Championship.

“If he keeps that form up then it might be Gareth coming knocking again,” the Hammers boss told reporters after witnessing a dream debut from Lingard at Villa Park. He will have his own ambitions and challenges to show people he is at a level and he showed a really good level, Ross Barkley is very much the same for Villa.

“There are a lot of people who are pushing hard to make the England squad for the Euros and why shouldn’t Jesse push if he’s in the form he is in tonight?

“If he keeps playing as well as he did he will do a brilliant job for West Ham and if he keeps going like that then he’ll get back into the England squad. I hope he can get back to that standard.”

Lingard is determined to make the most of his time at London Stadium, having been restricted to just three domestic cup appearances for United this season.

He told West Ham’s official website: “I'm coming into my prime years. I'm 28 and I want to be playing week in, week out. It has been a great move at the moment and I've got to carry it on.

“It is always the added bonus to score goals and help the team, but like I say it is about getting back out on the pitch and enjoying playing football - playing with a smile on my face.”

Juventus legend Giorgio Chiellini has admitted that he regrets turning down the chance to join Arsenal when they attempted to sign him at the age of 16.

Chiellini, who joined Juve in 2005, has become synonymous with the Italian champions, winning nine Serie A titles and four Coppa Italia trophies, as well as reaching the final of the Champions League twice.

However, the 36-year-old central defender has revealed that 20 years ago he had the opportunity to sign for Arsene Wenger's Gunners, but turned them down because he did not want to leave boyhood club Livorno - a decision he now regrets.

In an interview with French magazine So Foot, Chiellini says: "In hindsight, I was a fool to decline that offer. I was 16, I played in Serie C, I got a huge offer.

"I didn't feel ready. If I had accepted, it would have given the impression of betraying Livorno."

Chiellini is now into his 16th season with Juventus, but remained a player of interest for Arsenal long after their failed attempts to recruit him as a teenager.

Former Gunners striker Robin van Persie revealed in December 2020 that he had tried to persuade Wenger to return for the now-established Italy international, in order to boost Arsenal's ultimately futile attempts to win the Premier League title.

Van Persie said: "At a given moment I felt called upon to say what Arsenal could do better in order to win the league. I felt we lacked a winning mentality, and asked Arsene Wenger to sign Giorgio Chiellini.

"I have played against him a few times, and he is a genuine winner. 

"He is 36 years old, but he'll dish out nine elbows every game with a smile on his face. He'll keep smiling and never get a yellow card. You need those types of winners and killers in your side. I felt we should get him.”

In his So Foot interview, Chiellini also revealed the respect he holds for AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, calling him the "best enemy" he has had in his career.

Chiellini said: "I respect Zlatan a lot, we respect each other. We were team-mates, in my first season at Juve. I was never afraid to face him, never took a step back in front of him. He already had extraordinary physical strength.

"After that he became the absolute enemy, when he moved. The best enemy of my career is Ibrahimovic, without a doubt."

Neymar has suggested that a move to the Premier League will not form part of his future plans, with the Paris Saint-Germain striker shying away from the “physical contact” of life in England.

The Brazil international has been subjected to rough treatment throughout his career to date.

As a match-winning talent, the 28-year-old is often singled out by opponents as a man to contain at all costs.

Rules can be broken at times in a bid to keep him quiet, while the South American has also faced accusations of being overly theatrical in the tumbles that he often takes.

Neymar can, however, point to a number of impact injuries as evidence that he takes his fair share of robust tackles.

With that in mind, and with Ligue 1 considered to be tough enough, a man seeing fresh terms at PSG mooted has no desire to test himself in English football any time soon.

“I do not get to watch a lot of the Premier League, but I have heard that there's a lot of physical contact involved in the game,” Neymar told the Daily Mail when quizzed on the potential appeal of a Premier League switch.

“But the French league also has too much physical contact!”

Neymar still has much to achieve in the French capital, with the world’s most expensive player determined to replicate the European success he enjoyed at Barcelona before the day comes to sever ties with PSG.

He added: “I'm not motivated by defeats, I'm motivated by the victories that I once conquered in my life and career.

“I know what it's like to win a Champions League and I am sure that I will reach, once again, the final with PSG.”

Neymar will continue to chase down major honours with a smile on his face, with the charismatic Brazilian making no apologies for the fun he endeavours to find on and off the field.

He went on to say: “If we, soccer players, only think about our profession, we wouldn't make it.

“We have to have time to have fun and think about other subjects, like anybody else. It's natural, that's how the world works.

“We all know how to correctly balance our working time with the time we have to be with our families, friends or just having fun. We are no different than anybody when it comes to the relation between working and having fun.

“Of course, due to our public position, we have to preserve ourselves a bit more. We can't do certain activities that may harm our bodies, but we actually have the duty to seek distractions outside the pitch in order to keep our minds light and focused on our profession.”

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers is optimistic Wilfred Ndidi will be available for selection against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.

The midfielder suffered a hamstring injury against Everton in January and has subsequently missed their last two outings against Leeds United and Fulham.

The Northern Irish tactician has revealed the Nigeria international along with Jamie Vardy should return against Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.

“They should be available for the weekend, so it’s great news for us. They’ve responded really well,” Rodgers told the club website.

“We’ll see how they are over the next couple of days and they’ll hopefully be back in the squad and available for the weekend.”

Rodgers had previously revealed Ndidi will be back to his side soon and praised the performances of the Nigeria international this season so far.

"Wilf won’t be too much longer after that. It’s just the nature of this season. If you look at how compact the games are and the intensity of them, it’s very, very difficult for players,” he said.

"I think the players have been amazing in terms of the level of performance they’re giving considering the intensity of the games and how close they are together. It’s just something you have to cope with."

Ndidi has been struggling with various injuries since the start of the season which have limited his playing time to 15 games across all competitions.

The midfielder recently returned from a groin injury he suffered in September which ruled him out of action for more than three months.

Ndidi has been a consistent performer for Leicester City since teaming up with the club from Belgian side Genk.

The midfielder has played more than 135 games across all competitions and last season he featured prominently as the Foxes qualified for the Europa League.

With their victory over Fulham on Wednesday night, Leicester City are now third on the Premier League table after gathering 42 points from 22 games.

Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa has detailed a chronology of events that led to the exit of captain Ellie Asieche.

According to Kalekwa, Asieche and new head coach Ken Odhiambo were not seeing eye to eye over substitutions that the coach made against Nairobi City Stars and Vihiga United.

“We have played a number of games and we have won without Ellie,” Kalekwa told Goal.

“There is a time he was substituted against Nairobi City Stars in Wundanyi and he got angry because he has been used to being handled softly. Now we have a coach who is not ready to handle him like that anymore.

“The coach told him he took the decision for he was not playing well, he was really struggling and Asieche’s attitude was not good according to the coach.

“Even against Vihiga United, he was not playing at the highest level we are used to and he was substituted again. When he was withdrawn, he did not sit with the rest at the bench as he left and sat behind the bus and the coach was infuriated with his behaviour again.

“After the game, the coach called him aside for a talk and he was straight that he will be let go, or if he stays Odhiambo was ready to leave him.

“The coach and the other players were angry and some even told him he was not deserving to be the captain. He, however, apologised later and it is at that point that I got the report around his attitude and behaviour.”

Kalekwa stated he had to stand with Odhiambo as what the midfielder did amounted to disrespect which cannot be tolerated at Batoto ba Mungu.

“I was categorical and I told him I am not going to keep a bad seed with good seeds,” he added. “If he disrespected the coach that means it is me who he disrespected.

“At that point, I ordered the coach to make a decision. Although he called me later giving the side of his story I told him the decision belongs to the coach and he does what he feels is good for the team.

“Asieche insisted that he wanted no more confrontation with the coach and asked for his release letter. There was no way I was going to keep a player who is indisciplined because there is nothing he can offer to the team.

“That should be a lesson to any player. No one should disrespect the coach and remain at Sofapaka. If there was a team he was targeting to join, fine, but he should not disrespect other players and the coach.”

The club’s top official also stated the arrival of Lawrence Juma from Gor Mahia contributed to the exit of the former KCB and Kariobangi Sharks star.

“Juma is a good player and Asieche did not like competition and by the way you cannot compare Juma and Ellie. Never. You cannot compare anyone with Juma,” Kalekwa concluded.

“He feared Juma and he was not ready for competition. That is simple. But you, if he wanted to play and kept his level, the coach could rotate him because there was a way the coach could have fielded the two of them at the same time.”

Asieche was among the new players confirmed at Wazito FC on Wednesday.

Uthongathi head coach Simo Dladla has admitted that he has worries that the occasion of playing Soweto giants Orlando Pirates on Saturday may be going to the heads of some of his players.

Pirates host the KwaZulu-Natal First Division club in a Nedbank Cup last 32 encounter at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon, 3 pm kickoff.

Although Bucs have blown hot and cold this season, they will be heavy favourites to advance to the next round.

Cup upsets though are not rare in South African football and Pirates have been on the end of one or two themselves, particularly when they lost to third-tier side Maluti FET College 4-1 in the 2013 Nedbank Cup.

Dladla's concern, however, is that his players may be looking to promote themselves rather than play for the team, as they get a rare chance to shine in the limelight of a national television audience.

“I’m seeing different energies from players," Dladla was quoted saying by the Citizen.

"They want to play, they are eager to play and they are starting to become individuals rather than team players. I’ve already seen this and I said we have to monitor these energies."

For the experienced First Division coach, it's a matter of ensuring his players' energies are aimed in the right direction.

“This desire should not be for individual games," Dladla said. "Yes, we like individual brilliance where individual players influence the result of the game, they win the game for the team. But we remain a team, it should be about teamwork.

"It’s something that we have to deal with now, we must control these energies. I see it in training and I hope by the time we play on Saturday we would have managed to have come up with something to control it.”

Pirates are looking for their second trophy of the season, having won the MTN8 in December.

Their last match was also against a team from KwaZulu-Natal - Bucs suffered a 2-0 league loss to Golden Arrows on Tuesday evening.