Pretoria Callies Head Coach Sammy Troughton says they’re taking their Nedbank Cup quarter-final against fellow GladAfrica Championship opponents Cape Town All Stars this weekend very seriously, as they want to reach the semi-finals.
With the two teams meeting, at least one GladAfrica side is guaranteed a spot in the last four, and Troughton would love it to be Callies.
It’s been a second bite of the cherry for Callies, who were technically knocked out of the tournament in December, but were then re-instated when the lower tier teams from the SAFA leagues were withdrawn from the competition due to Covid-19 regulations.
But Troughton knows All Stars, who are now being led by former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Calvin Marlin, will be difficult opponents.
“I think we’re very happy to be in this stage of the tournament, a very prestigious tournament, against a very difficult team, I think they’re the in-form team when I look at their last five games,” Troughton said in the build-up to the game.
“Calvin has done a great job with them to get them back on track. So it’s gonna be tough, but we have to prepare our guys to go.”
“We’re very hungry to get into the last four of the Nedbank, because, you know, we want to keep the fans happy. We want to keep management happy, and the players happy. So we’re taking it very seriously.”
“Yeah, Rob, we’re taking this seriously. The players have been up for it in training. We know it’s gonna be a difficult one.”
“But I’m happy that the venue is Danie Craven, it’s a bit of a neutral (venue), I don’t think they would have played there. So yeah, we’re going to Cape Town to try and get the result mate, big time.”
