Sekhukhune United head coach Lehlohonolo Seema says they are targeting to go one better in the Nedbank Cup this season but they are ‘age underdogs’ to Highlands Park in the last-32 clash on Wednesday evening.
Sekhukhune lost in the final at Loftus Versfeld in the final game of the season against Orlando Pirates with the Soweto giants securing a 2-1 comeback win in the dying second of the game.
Seema, who replaced former head coach Brandon Truter mid-season says he’s under no illusions of the level they reached last season but there’s no personal pressure about it.
“There’s no added pressure on me, it’s the ambition club, this club wants to push further and win the trophy,” he stated.
“We know how it felt, it was painful to lose in such a close game [against Pirates], we still have the benefits of reaching the final by playing in the CAF Confederation Cup but it is an ambition to win silverware.”
With the Lions of the North, a traditional giant of South African football, up against Babina Noko, who were founded in 2020 – he suggested the third-tier opposition come in as favourites due to their heritage.
“It’s a game that Sekhukhune need to prepare well, we’re only four years old, when you mention South African teams, you can’t not mention Highlands Park,” Seema stated.
“We’re underdogs, they have an experienced coach Alan Freese with a full-fledged technical team that’s expected to win the league.
“They’re sixth, but they score many goals, with the best defence in the league, you can’t rake them very lightly, we’re expecting a difficult game.
“We’re not travelling far to Dobsonville, but we’re the away team and this cup brings many surprises, we’re the age underdogs.”
“It’s difficult to get footage of the ABC Mostepe League, we needed to go old school and send people to watch them in the league, they have pacey attackers, you will see the experience the coach has in-game decisions – but we want the next round.”
