NEDBANK CUP IS NOT FOR THE ELITE BUT FOR THE MASSES, SO WILL BRING IT HOME – SINENKANI FC
The Sinenkani Footbal Club from the Winnie Madikizela Mandela Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape has vowed to bring back home the R7million prize money to be played for in the forth coming Nedbank Cup competition. Speaking in an interview with The Informer Sinenkani’s spokesperson Lixolile Petela said the team spirit is very high and the boys are confident and ready to deliver the trophy home. Sinenkani is playing with Free State Stars in their first game of the Nedbank Cup tournament which begins on the 5th of February.
“Nedbank Cup belongs to the masses which is Sinenkani not these elite clubs so we are prepared we are going to bring it home”, he said.
Commenting about the government assistance in pursuance of this vow Petela said government help will be very important. “ For instance if we play in Umthatha the boys would need to be booked in there for a week so that they can be well prepared. That is the money we don’t have”, he said.
Petela said that the Alfred Nzo District Municipality has committed an amount of R200 000. “Although it’s a drop in the ocean but we are grateful for that. We have also spoken to the Premier of the Province Oscar Mabuyane and he promised that he is going to consult with the MEC Sport, Recreation, Art and Culture.
Meanwhile The South African Football Association is conducting inspection on soccer facilities that will be used by Sinenkani Football Club as their home ground facilities ahead of Nedbank Cup games. Sinenkani Footbal Club from the Alfred Nzo Region of the Eastern Cape is the only soccer team playing in the ABC Motsepe League that is going to represent the province in the last 32 games to be played.
Petela said they have proposed WSU stadium in Umthatha, SisaDukashe in kuGompo and Prencess Magogo Stadium in eThekwini as their home grounds for the tournament. According to Petela SAFA technical team lead by Ace Ncobo visited WSU on Thursday and will be visiting the other venues in the next few days before the final submission is done to SAFA.
Petela thanked the WSU team for their commitment to assist and work together with the club in order to make it possible for WSU stadium to be utilised. “It is our objective that our home games be played in the Province of the Eastern Cape. However for that to happen, much assistance is required from the side of government to ensure that the logistical arrangements are convenient for the team”, Petela concluded.
