NB La Masia head coach Daine Klate is under no illusions of what lies ahead in the Nedbank Cup last-32 clash against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Klate, who is in his second head coaching role after a short stint with Chippa United, ousted Baroka to book their place against Masandawana, who are unbeaten in the 2023/24 season.
While the priority is to chase promotion to the DStv Premiership, Klate admits it’s an occasion to savour for his youthful squad against the reigning league champions.
“It’s a big occasion, a good experience for La Masia, it’s a David and Goliath situation, for us it’s an honour to face Mamelodi Sundowns to see where we are as a team,” Klate said ahead of the game.
“It’s the perfect opportunity to test ourselves against one of the best in South Africa if not Africa’s best.”
Klate dismissed suggestions that it’s potentially the best time to play Sundowns with their congested fixture schedule may see head coach Rulani Mokwena rotate his squad – while several of their Bafana Bafana players are still recovering from their AFCON exploits.
“When you talk about hope, we have to have hope, we beat Baroka with 10 men, we went down three times and beat them in the penalty shootout,” Klate said.
“So again we can have that point of reference, I don’t think Sundowns can be weakened they have a full squad that has the aspiration to win trophies on the world stage, win the Champions League and play in the FIFA Club World Cup.
“Our ambition is to get in the PSL, where Sundowns is currently, I don’t there’s a lack of hope, there should always be hope [from my players]. We can’t go into a game and just roll over and say we’re playing Sundowns.
“It’s my duty as a coach and technical team, myself and Moeneeb [Josephs] to encourage these boys and motivate them as much as they can to show heart and passion tomorrow.”
The two sides meet on Tuesday at Dobsonville Stadium at 19h00.
