Kwanele Kopo optimistic Tuks can cause Nedbank Cup upsets | OneFootball

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Kopo hopeful of causing Nedbank Cup upsets

Photo: Kwanele Kopo

University of Pretoria head coach Kwanele Kopo is optimistic his team can spring a few suprises in the Nedbank Cup despite their struggles in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

AmaTuks, who sit 11th in the second-tier standings, will host Betway Premiership side Sekhukhune United in the Round of 16 at Tuks Stadium on Sunday.

With the match on the horizon, the former Chippa United mentor has acknowledged that Eric Tinkler's men are firm favorites on paper to advance to the quarter-finals.

“It's good to be in the last 16, we are playing a very strong team, we have no illusions about that. A team that I highly respect, Sekhukhune United, a top three team in the league, they have three consecutive wins in their last three games,” said Kopo.

"Good management, good technical staff under the leadership of coach Eric Tinkler with Paulos Masehe and Andre Arendse. We've played them a couple of times in preparation games, so we go into this fixture almost as open books to each other.

"But I think on paper and not just on paper but maybe on performances in the league so far - there is no doubt that the advantage is to Sekhukhune. We are not doing so well in our campaign and we know we are going through a transitional period, we are rebuilding a club.

Though odds are stacked against Tuks, Kopo believes his troops can eliminate some topflight teams in the competition, drawing inspiration from the 2009 side that lost to Moroka Swallows in the final.

“But the Nedbank Cup has these opportunities that it gives to the underdogs, and in 2009 Tuks made it all the way to the final. So, maybe it might be that as much as we are struggling in the league, we can cause one or two upsets in the Nedbank Cup,” he added.

"So, we're preparing as best as we can for the game, we've watched their last couple of games as they would do the same with us. Like I said, very strong team, so there will be some technical, tactical adjustments for the approach for the game, but most importantly is the mentality.

"A lot of the times you don't have to motivate the players a lot for the cup games, especially when you play a PSL team, and even more so when you play a team that is top three in the league. So, we will be prepared for the game and challenges.

"Everybody has challenges, everybody has injuries, everybody might have suspensions. So, with the players that we have available, it's important for us to get results, whether it's cup or league but the good thing about the cup is that we are four games away from the final and I think that is the driving desire for us. So, tough game but I feel that we will be up to the challenge on Sunday.