Bloemfontein Celtic are under no illusions about who is favourites to win the MTN8 Final on Saturday, but say they are ready to try upset Orlando Pirates in the game.
Pirates and Celtic meet in the final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday at 6pm.
Celtic Coach John Maduka says the pressure will be on Pirates to win this, but Celtic have nothing to lose.
“We are going there as underdogs,” Coach Maduka told the media, “Most people expect Pirates to beat us and win.”
“So that gives us that advantage because the pressure is not on us. The pressure is on Pirates to win the cup final, not us.”
“The majority of people expect them to think Pirates us are going to beat us and as team we have planned. We’ve worked hard and look forward to the final.”
Captain Ndumiso Mabena concurs, and says that he hopes his experience can make a difference for the team. He says he has matured a lot as a player since his days at Orlando Pirates.
“The experience that I bring in, it helps them a lot and helps the team a lot,” Mabena told the media.
“I am calmer and more mature than at my previous teams, not only Pirates but also Platinum Stars.
“So I am enjoying my football, and this is the platform they’ve given me to express myself as a senior player.”
Mabena spent six years at Pirates, but left in 2003, joining new defunct Dikwena. He has been at Celtic since 2017, and has scored 25 goals for the club since joining.
