Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp says he will field his best eleven when they take on Magic in the Nedbank Cup in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.
The Glamour Boys advanced into the round of 16 after securing a narrow 1-0 win in extra time against Tornado at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium on 27 January.
Amakhosi will now take on an unpredictable Magic side, who progressed to the last 16 after defeat Maccabi on a 5-4 penalty shoot-out at the Volkswagen Dobsonville Stadium on 29 January.
Middendorp believes he has done enough homework on the ABC Motsepe League outfit to walk away with a win in Port Elizabeth.
‘As I said before our last Nedbank Cup game against Tornado FC, there’s nothing new about going to Magic FC,’ Middendorp told his club’s official website.
‘They play in the ABC Motsepe League, but we are not going to take it easy. Far from it. It’s our obligation to qualify for the next round of the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals. We are serious about winning, we want to win every match we play.
‘We like to build our play from the back,’ he added. ‘We have had a chance to practice our tactics during the training sessions we’ve held recently. I’m happy with the preparation.
‘We observed Magic FC last weekend. We are going to play our best eleven in Port Elizabeth. We had our scouts watch their game. We have information about their structure and way of playing. We will be well prepared to win the match. We aren’t going there relaxed. Above all, it’s about our own ideas and strategy.’
With Itumeleng Khune out injured and Daniel Akpeyi cup-tied, having already played in a Nedbank Cup for his former club Chippa United, Middendorp revealed that young goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma will be between the sticks for Amakhosi.
‘Daniel Akpeyi is cup-tied and we are forced to make changes and possibly bring in Bruce Bvuma,’ Middendorp revealed.
‘The other absentees are due to injuries that we have reported already,’ Middendorp said, while referring to the injuries of Khune, Mulomowandau Mathoho and Lebogang Manyama.
‘We have to be patient as the technical team. If Akpeyi is not available, we have to make changes.’
Kaizer Chiefs will travel to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium when they take on Magic FC in the Nedbank Cup Last 16 on Sunday, with kick-off set for 3pm.
