Sundowns must respect Maritzburg United – Kekana

Mamelodi Sundowns skipper Hlompho Kekana has warned his team against underestimating Maritzburg United in the Telkom Knockout Final.

Sundowns have established themselves as the powerhouse of South African football dominating domestically and competing with continental giants and they come into the match as firm favourites.

Pitso Mosimane’s Premiership champions will be aware that the Team of Choice have already seen off current PSL leaders Kaizer Chiefs and come into the TKO final off the back of a 1-0 win over Polokwane City.

United intend to turn Moses Mabhida blue shuttling their supporters down the N3 to Durban for the occasion.

“Maritzburg is a very dangerous team at the moment, they are high on confidence and they have won their last three matches, which is something we have to be concerned about. We must go into the final with huge respect for them,” Kekana told a pre-match press conference in Durban on Friday.

“We want to make sure we contain a few of their players and try to score goals because obviously, you have to score goals to win the trophy.

“We are trying so hard to stay focused on the mission which is to try and win trophies.”

Also read: Nurkovic, not Billiat, is now the most important player at Chiefs

Sundowns using their squad

Sundowns are competing on more fronts than any other South African team apart from Bidvest Wits, who are also in continental competition. In order to remain competitive Mosimane has had to plumb the depths of his Sundowns squad and the captain says everyone is pulling together to bring more success to the team of the moment.

“We have learned over the years where we have used so many of the same players in many games, this time around we have tried to bring in everybody to help the team,” Kekana added.

“When I look at the team, everybody is ready to help. I hope when Saturday comes everyone who has rested comes together and brings the team to where it should be, we want to win the trophy.”

Sundowns first success in what would become the Telkom Knockout in 1990 and they won again in 1999 and claimed a third title in 2015. Chiefs hold the record for the most TKO titles with a total of 13.

Maritzburg United have never won a major trophy in South African football but are eager to claim their first piece of silverware after a disappointing 2018/19 season where the Team of Choice narrowly avoided being relegated from the PSL.