AmaZulu striker Ryan Moon says his fingers are tightly crossed for a dream KZN derby final, Casric Stars goal minder Wandile Mthombeni says he and his teammates are ready to scalp yet another Goliath of the premiership.Photo: Sipho Siso

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With four clubs still in the running for honours in the Nedbank Cup, AmaZulu’s Ryan Moon is keeping his fingers tightly crossed for a dream all KZN derby final.

In an interview soon after the draw at SuperSport’s Studio 6, Moon prided himself on the fact that four KZN teams are still in the running for glory, saying this was a clear indication of the rise of football in the province.

“I will be more than delighted if more KZN teams do qualify for the semis. I keep my fingers crossed for an all KZN final of the richest cup competition in the Betway Premiership. This is a first for the province and it speaks volumes about the standard and a testimony of the rise of football in the province,” Moon told Sipho Siso News in an interview minutes after the draw.

Turning to his side’s home quarter final draw against giant killers Casric Stars, who brushed aside form team of the moment Orlando Pirates, Moon said he finds solace in being at home but he’s aware that the Buccaneers was taken down in their own fortress ground as well.

“I just wish we can up our game with home advantage and not take the Mpumalanga side that plays its football in the lower league and then think it’s a given that we must win,” Moon cautioned.

The Usuthu striker urged his fellow players to treat this even more seriously for two reasons – the fact that Casric brushed aside a form team of the moment at its own backyard and that being a lower division side makes them a somewhat closed book to us – hence we should avoid being complacent and treat them even more seriously to be on the safe side,” Moon said.

Noting that his team was 98% healthy, Moon urged his fellow players to give it their all to ensure that Usuthu progresses to semis and eventually the finals too. “That’s my greatest wish for Usuthu,” he concluded.

Moon’s counterpart and goal minder at Casric Stars, Wandile Mthombeni said their fairytale win against Pirates had taken their confidence to the roof. “We’re highly motivated now as our confidence is high and hope to give AmaZulu a good run for their money as well and slay another Goliaths of the Betway Premiership,” Mthombeni said soon after the draw.

Durban City has the disadvantage of meeting a fellow KZN team – that being Lamontville Golden Arrows but the Durban Citizens’ forward Ronaldo Maarman was delighted in that its a team they play week-in week-out and they know all its strength and weaknesses. “We just need to prepare well for home and stick to our game plan. I will also ensure I don’t forget by striking boots at home,” the Durban Citizens forward said.

Golden Arrows’ Velemuseni Ndwandwe is also eyeing a dream final of the Nedbank Cup, Jacksa Spears’ Moeti Mofokeng believes that no team is unbeatable and so is TS Galaxy. Photo: Sipho Siso

Jacksa Spears’ Moeti Mofokeng said his side goes to KwaMhlanga Stadium with its tails up and looking forward to downing the mighty S Galaxy, a team that just stunned Mamelodi Sundowns who are eight time champions of the Betway Premiership in a row. “No team is unbeatable and we just need a little bit of luck as well on our side and the rest will be history. We both have 11men on the field and anything can happen. I just hope we can spring a surprise on the Rockets,” Mofokeng said.

The Rockets’ Patrick Fisher says the team’s eyes are firmly fixed on yet another dream Nedbank Cup just as in 2019, Durban Citizens’ Ronaldo Maarman looks forward to a Nedbank Cup KZN Derby with Golden Arrows. Photo: Sipho Siso

His counterpart at The Rockets, Patrick Fisher urged his players to up their game on the day as a closed book team tends to be a dangerous side. “I look forward to the game and hope we can progress and go as far as winning it just as we did in 2019 – beating the mighty AmaKhosi to take the trophy home with us,” Fisher said.

Sekhukhune United’s Lebogang Phiri says they are targeting some silverware and the Nedbank Cup is the last one, Milford FC’s Phakamani Ngxongo says they will be happy to scalp the premiership giants Sekhukhune United. Photo: Sipho Siso

Sekhukhune United’s Lebogang Phiri, whose team currently lies third in the Betway Premiership, said Babina Noko is ready to grind the results once again and hopefully make it to the semis. “Our target is to at least win one cup competition in the league and the Nedbank Cup the last cup. We will do whatever it takes to win it,” Phiri said.

The quarter finals will kick off on the weekend of March 7 and 8 after which the semis draw will be conducted at the venue of the last game to be played.