The gutsy Botshabelo-based football side D’ General FC has planned a killer act against TS Galaxy FC for when they meet in a pulsating Nedbank Cup last-16 group encounter on Sunday, 17 March. In 2019, while campaigning in the second tier of South African professional football, the National First Division (NFD), the latter side narrowly beat Kaizer Chiefs 1 – 0 in the final to lift the sought-after trophy.
The first great upset in the history of this tournament was Chiefs’ 1 – 2 defeat against Baroka FC in the quarter-finals while the latter side campaigned in the semiprofessional ABC Motsepe League.
D’ General’s ability to emulate a remarkable feat previously achieved by two ABC Motsepe League campaigners, Baroka and Dondol Stars FC, will be tested by Galaxy when they face off in the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
Kick-off is at 15:00, with the winner of this eagerly awaited face-off progressing to the quarter-finals.
D’ General is one of only two minnows, when also considering FC Ravens from the Eastern Cape, remaining in the tournament.
The Free State outfit is wearing the underdog tag in this intriguing outing against Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaigner Galaxy.
D’ General’s head coach, Morena Lothane, believes his charges have the potential to slay Galaxy, stressing the unthinkable can be achieved.
“We are inspired by Galaxy’s achievements, and we are going to explore against them the same mentality they used to plot Chiefs’ defeat in 2019,” he says.
“Qualifying for the quarter-finals will inspire the players to aspire to even greater heights and further demonstrate to upcoming players it is possible.”
Lothane is optimistic about his and the team’s prospects, adding they are fully aware of the immense pressure coming with ambitions to continue the fairytale run in the tournament.
D’ General’s ability to convert scoring chances and defend will be key in their mission in plotting a major cup upset in this year’s tournament.
Lothane hopes Charles Sikhosana and Tladi Makhetha can continue the impressive form which saw each of them scoring a goal in D’ General’s convincing 2 – 0 win over Madridtas FC in the last-32 group fixture played in Bloemfontein on 25 February.
- Tickets for Sunday’ fixture are available at R40 on computicket.com.
