THE COACH of Mkhambathi FC, Xolani “Sdoks” Khumalo, admits that they are under pressure to win their provincial final of the Safa KwaZulu-Natal ABC Motsepe League to qualify the team that will represent the province in the national Play-Offs fighting for promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Mkhambathi will face Voti FC in the final of the ABC Motsepe League on Saturday at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium, Clermont.
Mvoti finished top with 59 points in Stream A, Mkhambathi finished top with 55 in Stream B.
The team that will win this Saturday’s game, will represent KZN in the national games where two teams will be selected to be promoted to the Championship.
The ABC Motsepe League National Play-Offs will be held in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, June 1-7.
“As a team, we are under pressure for the game we will play against Mvoti because last season we went to the final where we lost to Midlands (Wanderers).
“And the managers (of Mkhambathi) want the team to be promoted to the Motsepe Championship this season, and the way they have supported the team since the start of the season until now.
“They have big ambitions for this team because they want to see it play in the big league, representing the Mkhambathini area,” said Khumalo.
“Mkhambathi is a fast-growing team that many coaches want to coach. However, we have prepared them to face Voti, we know what to expect from them, and they know what to expect from us. So we are expecting a tough game but one that will make football lovers believe.”
Khumalo from KwaNomoya, Sahlumbe, who joined Mkhambathi this season from FC Drakensberg, is assisted by Nkosingiphile “Dimco” Ntinga who is his deputy.
Mkhambathi reached the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup, where they were defeated by Milford FC 3-0.
“Also our reaching the Last 16 of the Nedbank Cup has been a great motivator for our players, increasing their level of confidence in the key league games we have played,” said Khumalo.
If Mkhambathi ends up succeeding in going to the national Play-Offs, he will have another pressure to follow in the footsteps of his hosts, Midlands Wanderers, who succeeded in advancing to the Championship last season.