Moroka Swallows captain Goodman Mazibuko believes the time has come for the Beautiful Birds to turn the tables on Kaizer Chiefs.
Swallows tackle their illustrious Soweto neighbours in the semifinals of the Coca-Cola Cup at Securicor Loftus in Pretoria on Saturday.
And coming just two months after Chiefs dumped Swallows out of the SAA Supa 8 at the very same stage, revenge will be high on the minds of Mazibuko and his teammates as they chase the whopping R2-million first prize the Coca Cola Cup offers.
"Chiefs got their chance during the Supa 8 and now this is our turn to qualify for the final," a confident Mazibuko told the South Africa Press Association. "We are sick and tired of losing to Chiefs every time we meet."
The 29-year-old former Free State Stars and Orlando Pirates player said coach Gavin Hunt has the team peaking at the right time but admitted they remain mindful of Chiefs much-vaunted midfield.
"Our preparations for the match have gone well and we are ready to play against Chiefs but we must just contain them in the middle of the park," said Mazibuko, referring to the Phefeni Glamour Boy midfield quintet of Tinashe Nengomashe, Scara Ngobese, Shoes Moshoeu and Arthur Zwane.
"Chiefs have been beating us during the past matches because of our own mistakes, it is not that they were too good for us, we must just rectify our mistakes."
Mazibuko, who hails from Warden in the Free State, revealed that the team had made no special arrangement to deal with Chiefs muscular goal machine Collins Mbesuma.
Mbesuma has been in fine form this season blasting his way to 7 goals in all competitions for Chiefs, including the strike that sent Swallows tumbling out of the Supa 8.
"Mbesuma is a good player and he has been doing well for his club but we are not thinking of him alone, we are planning for the entire Chiefs team."
Either way Swallows central defenders Mohammed Ouseb and Warren Lewis are sure to have their hands full containing Mbesuma but will know that shutting down the Zambian is half the battle won.
The match kicks off at 8pm. Tickets for the match are available at Computicket at R20 (adults) and R10 (children).
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