Flamboyant Chippa United coach Morgan Mammila says he is disappointed not to have been drawn against neither Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs in the Carling Black Label knockout.
This after the Premier Soccer League (PSL) alongside Carling Black Label confirmed the fixtures of the newly founded knockout cup competition on Tuesday.
The competition which was previously played by two Soweto giants Pirates and Chiefs has now expanded and will see all 16 teams in the Premiership participate.
It replaces the Telkom Knockout that was last played in 2019, which was won by Sundowns when they defeated Maritzburg United 2-1 in the final.
Chippa were drawn against Stellenbosch FC and the outspoken and confident coach expressed his dismay, blatantly saying he would have preferred to get any of the big three PSL teams instead of Stellies.
“To be honest, I am disappointed [about the draw],” Mamilla told the media during the competition launch at Hyde Park corner in Johannesburg.
“I would have loved to have gotten Sundowns whilst they are still limping after the MTN8 final defeat. If not Sundowns, I thought maybe I would get Pirates or Chiefs.
“So, I am very disappointed because playing against those three teams in Nelson Mandela Bay, you are talking about more than 30 000 spectators – and that is who we are, that is who I am – I enjoy that kind of atmosphere.
“But nevertheless, we are playing against a hardworking and well-coached Stellenbosch team, but we have made it clear that we are a tough team to play against.
“The pressure is not only about playing against Chippa but also losing against Morgan – so they have got double pressure to think about.”
Sundowns will travel to Mpumalanga to face TS Galaxy, Pirates will host DStv Premiership strugglers Cape Town Spurs and Chiefs will also be home to welcome AmaZulu FC.
The winner of the knockout will head to the Carling Cup final, where they will face off against a PSL All Stars – comprising of six voted senior players from the 15 teams and six voted DStv Diski Challenge players and a voted coach by the public.
Carling Black Label Knockout Fixtures:
Sekhukhune United vs Royal AM
Orlando Pirates vs Cape Town Spurs
SuperSport United vs Polokwane City
TS Galaxy vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Chippa United vs Stellenbosch FC
Richards Bay vs Moroka Swallows
Kaizer Chiefs vs AmaZulu FC
Golden Arrows vs Cape Town City
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