The exciting and jaw-dropping Carling Knockout cup competition has reached its final stage, which will see Stellenbosch FC and TS Galaxy battle it out to write their names in history books by becoming the first team to lift the modish trophy.
Stellenbosch and Galaxy will lock horns at the Moses Mabhida on Saturday. Kick-off time is at 3pm.
At the start of the tournament, few would have imagined seeing a final featuring Stellenbosch and Galaxy, including the sponsors.
With all due respect to the two finalists, the odds were stacked against them. The likes of Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs, DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns and recent domestic cup competition specialists Orlando Pirates were tipped as favourites to etch their names on the trophy.
However, Stellies and the Rockets proved they are worthy of a spot in the final, as they grinded their way through – with Galaxy managing to cause one of the biggest upsets by eliminating Sundowns in the first round. Another upset of the competition was when DStv Premiership strugglers Richards Bay knocked out Pirates in the quarterfinals. The Natal Rich Boys did, however, see their fire
extinguished by Stellenbosch, who walloped them 3-0 in the semifinal.
In as much as the elimination of the tournament favourites in the early stages was the highlight of the tournament, it goes without saying that the focus of attention and talk of the town was the hefty R100 000 man-of-the-match prize money that the players walked away with after being voted by the supporters.
Stellenbosch striker Iqraam Rayners has already won it three times and will be licking his lips to ensure that he wins it again and tops it off by winning the tournament.
Galaxy’s captain Mlungisi Mbunjana and Lehlohonolo Mojela have already had a taste of the R100 000 and will also be eying another one.
Coaches Sead Ramovic and Steve Barker have established themselves as some of the best in the premiership – with their exciting and attractive brand of football they have introduced in the league.
The two will undoubtedly leave no stone unturned in ensuring that their hard work gets rewarded come Saturday evening.
