adminCAPE TOWN – Following his heroic performance against Kaizer Chiefs this past weekend, Platinum Stars goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane says Orlando Pirates will be under pressure to beat them when they clash in the Telkom Knockout final. Stars beat Chiefs 1-0 thanks to a Thabiso Semenya goal after the interval.
Dikwena will lock horns against Bucs in a final for the second time this season after earlier giving the Sea Robbers a shock MTN8 final defeat when they won 3-1 on penalties at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Mpontshane believes Dikwena will not be pressured to grab their second piece silverware of the season.
“We are not under pressure to win,” Mpontshane told Sport24.
“Pirates are the ones who are under pressure to win against us as it was the case when we met earlier in the final of the MTN8.”
Mpontshane (27) also hailed his team-mates for their character and motivation, stating that despite the Glamour Boys’ threat in the first half, they had a good game by managing to keep them at bay.
The Johannesburg-born shot-stopper also hinted that his team-mates were well aware and prepared for Chiefs’ attacking style.
“We were very prepared to play a big team like Chiefs, I knew personally that they will come at us but we were prepared.
“We are working hard as a team and we do motivate each other – that is a reason why we are doing so well this past two seasons.”
Mpontshane also backs his team to repeat last season’s performance in the Absa Premiership when they finished second on the log, only trailing champions, Chiefs, by a single point.
“As a team, we want to be in the top two positions on the log like we did last season.
“Who knows? Maybe we can even win the league but as long as we do better than last season we will be happy.
“Personally I would like to improve on my game as the season goes by,” he added.
The Telkom Knockout final between the two sides is scheduled to be played at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on 7 December.
Kick-off time is yet to be confirmed.-Sport24.
Online Reporter