CELTIC CAPTAIN CHASES GOLD MEDAL
Saturday’s MTN8 final between Bloemfontein Celtic and Orlando Pirates
provides Celtic captain Ndumiso Mabena with an opportunity to fight to
have a gold medal around his neck.
Mabena will lead Phunya Sele Sele in their chase for a gold medal when
they face the Buccaneers at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban
(18h00).
‘‘As players and the team we want to make history, win the trophy. It
has not been a bad year for us under the circumstances of COVID. We
are just looking forward to the final,’’ said Mabena.
‘‘This is a new season and everybody is gunning for the upcoming game.
We know it’s not going to be an easy game.’’
The former Pirates and Platinum Stars striker has been a revelation
since joining Siwelele a few years ago and the fact that he was given
the captain’s armband bears testimony to that.
‘‘I think the role that was given to me at the team gives me
confidence. The experience I gained from the other teams brought
here,’’ he said.
With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to ravage South Africa and
resulting in football fans not being allowed to come to match venues,
the 33-year-old Mabena insists that he does not have a problem with
playing in front of empty seats.
‘‘Look, we all know the situation around our country. We have played a
number of games without fans. We have managed to do well without fans.
I don’t think it’s going to be a problem as we have played without
fans before,’’ Mabena said.
‘‘Obviously, as a team we wanna make history. I think it will be a
blessing to lift the trophy. I know it won’t be easy. We know what we
want as a team.
‘‘We want it, come Saturday the team that wins it is the team that
wants it more. We just going all out and knowing other games are
coming after the cup final. It’s only 90 minutes or 120 minutes. We
will give it our all as we always do.’’
