Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Cedric Kaze has insisted Orlando Pirates are the clear favourites going into Saturday’s Nedbank Cup final and the pressure to win is on their shoulders.
Amakhosi are in the Nedbank Cup final for the first time in six years, when they lost to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila Football Club.
However, the Glamour Boys are the still the record champions of the competition, having won the Ke Yona Cup and it’s predecessors (ABSA Cup, Bob Save Super Bowl, Mainstay Cup, Benson and Hedges Trophy, and Life Challenge Cup) 13 times, while Pirates have lifted 10 trophies.
However, the Buccaneers have won the Nedbank Cup back-to-back and could complete a hat-trick, with Kaze insisting all pressure is on Jose Riveiro’s side.
“I’m very happy to come into this game as an underdog,” he told journalists.
“And we know what are our chances, we played them not long ago. We feel it is a privilege to play them two times in such a short period, but a final is a final and I’m very happy that all the pressure from this final is on Orlando Pirates’ shoulders.”
Kaze also opened up on the mood in the Chiefs camp, saying everyone is in good spirits despite Saturday’s 2-1 defeat in the league Soweto Derby.
“The mood is very good, it’s a final that we haven’t played for six years and we know how important it is for the club, for the management, especially for the fans,” he continued.
“We know what we need to do on Saturday but we are very confident and we know that we’re going to play the defending champions.
“But a final is a final and we are preparing ourselves to give our best and to have a good performance.”
The match, which has officially been sold out, will kick off at 15:30 at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
