TS Galaxy head coach Sead Ramovic has paid tribute to Chippa United counterparts Thabo September and Kwanele Kopo ahead of their Nedbank Cup quarterfinal clash at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday/
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Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).
CURRENT FORM
Ramovic has been impressed with the work done by the duo since they took over the reins from Morgan Mammila in January, losing just two of their opening nine matches at the helm.
The Chilli Boys will be buoyed by their 2-0 triumph over Kaizer Chiefs last time out which made it back-to-back wins in the DStv Premiership.
However, Chippa will face their first real test in the competition after eliminating ABC Motsepe League sides NC Pro's and Ravens FC in the opening two rounds, both by a 2-1 scoreline.
The Rockets too have enjoyed a resurgence in the second half of the season, losing only once in eight outings and picking up 13 points out of a possible 18 in the league.
Ramovic's side beat CAF Champions League hopefuls SuperSport United 1-0 most recently to record their third win on the spin and close within three points of the CAF berths in fifth place.
Galaxy dispatched top-flight rivals Golden Arrows 2-1 in the round of 32 before running out comfortable 3-0 victors against lower-league D'General FC in the previous round.
Anticipation mounts as we await the triumphant return of @BernardParker .🚀@aQuelle @aQuelleViV#Siyadumuza#TheRockets #TSG pic.twitter.com/MdhMcJKWmj
— TS Galaxy FC (@TSGALAXYFC) April 12, 2024
WHAT WAS SAID:
TS Galaxy head coach Sead Ramovic
"I think that since the new coaches arrived, Chippa have a different style of play. They are now more compact and have fewer blocks and they have more ball possession.
"When we see the last nine games of Chippa, they won five, drew two and lost two, scoring 13 goals. In every game, their ball possession averages 46 per cent. This means they are a well-coached team.
"They will be a very tough opponent. Yes we are playing at home and we know about our own strengths but understand that we need to be at our best to increase our chances of winning."
Chippa United co-coach Kwanele Kopo
"All in all, it is the consistency of winning. That is the most important thing for Chippa going into this cup, going into the remaining league games and building a team for the future.
"You want to build a team that has the consistency to win and not be on the losing side. So, we need to change the mentality in the club."
🚨⚽️ NEXT MATCH! ⚽️🚨
— TS Galaxy FC (@TSGALAXYFC) April 9, 2024
TS Galaxy FC vs Chippa United
🗓Date: 14 April 2024
🕑Time: 15:00 pm
🏟Location: Mbombela Stadium@aQuelle @aQuelleViV#Siyadumuza #TheRockets #TSG#nedbankcup pic.twitter.com/ziuyFkkTPw
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
TS Galaxy - Samir Nurkovic is proving Cape Town Spurs head coach Ernst Middendorp's assertions right that he's one of the best strikers in the country.
The Serbian bagged his first Ke Yona goal against D'General in the round of 16 and has found the back of the net five times in his last seven league appearances to take his tally for the season to seven, putting his four behind top scorer Lucas Ribeiro despite only joining Galaxy in September.
Chippa United - Bienvenu Eva Nga is starting to rediscover his best form since returning to the club from Orlando Pirates in January.
The Cameroonian striker struggled to establish himself at the Soweto giants, but scored his first league goal for Chippa against Chiefs after opening his account in the cup clash with NC Pro's.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: (Last five Meetings)
Matches - 5
Galaxy wins - 3
Chippa wins - 0
Draws - 2