Nedbank 8 Roars into life
The 2024 edition of the Nedbank 8 will roar into life today at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena with two quarterfinal matches on Saturday and Sunday respectively for the competition bankrolled by Nedbank Lesotho to the tune of M350,000.
The tournament will kick-off with a match between runners-up in both the North and South stream as Kenny Mohoanyane take on Qoaling Highlanders coached by Wright Mofoka.
Mohoanyane stated that he is anticipating a highly competitive contest based on the history of Qoaling Highlanders as one of the teams known for producing talented players over the years.
“I didn’t watch them this season but its team that has abundance of talent as you know most of the Premier League teams especially Matlama feed from Qoaling Highlanders,” Mohoanyane said.
“Both teams finished the league season as runners up, so we are expecting good football as the two teams will want to show how good they are based on their performance this campaign.”
Mohoanyane, who took over the reins at the club at the start of the season, revealed Highlanders coach, Mofoka is a long-time friend and is looking forward to a competitive contest in the field of play.
Mofoka on the other declared his team ready to challenge for the competition they last won in 2011, in which they also secured promotion to the Premier League.
“We have good memories of the last time we played in this competition over a decade ago, where we were crowned champions and everyone associated with this club wants to see us bring back those glory days,” Mofoka said.
“We have no injury concerns in our squad going into the quarterfinal match against Maroala, who are a closed book to us, but we have prepared ourselves very well for a team that has done wonders finishing second in the North stream.
“Our team is made up of a mixture of young and experienced players that we believe will rise to the occasion to help us do well in the competition,” he said.
On Sunday, all eyes will be on Majantja and Mzamane, who had both clinched the automatics promotion spot in the South and North streams.
Mzamane Premier League credentials will be tested when they take on Members in the first quarter final clash scheduled for 12h00 on Sunday while Majantja will go head-to-head with Lilemela in the second quarterback clash at 15h00.
Majantja coach Bafokeng Mohapi admitted that winning promotion to the Premier League will come with a lot of pressure for his team to win the Nedbank 8.
“We have been preparing, but we have had a long break since the league season ended, which has been a challenge as we lost the momentum that we had,” Mohapi said
“As Champions of the South, everyone will be looking at us to do well but it won’t be easy because every clubs wants to win this competition.
“It won’t be easy at all. Cup competition are always competitive as they get the best out of everyone and winning it will be crucial for us because the prize money will help in our preparations for life playing in the Premier League next season.”
Mzamane as well will be expected to produce the same performance that secured promotion to the Premier League for the Mokhotlong based outfit
Their coach Bota Ramantsoe said winning the Nedbank 8 will be a big boost for his in preparation for topflight football, but they must first work on getting to the final.
“We know that all eyes will be on us after winning promotion to the Premier League and that by itself will be pressure on our team to do well,” Ramantsoe stated.
“Going all the way to win this competition will be very important to boost our finances as we prepare for life in the Premier League.
“I think we have done all we were supposed to do in our preparations for the tournament and we look forward to the games,” he said
