Pretoria University coach Steve Barker says his players will not freeze when the First Division giant killers face Moroka Swallows in the Nedbank Cup final at Rand Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
Barker said that he would give his players
one piece of advice before the kick-off.
"My advice to the players is simple — go out and enjoy the
occasion," Barker said.
Barker, who had a star studded career with Wits University in
the 1990s, said his players were confident after knocking out three
PSL clubs — Kaizer Chiefs, Bloemfontein Celtic and Ajax Cape Town -
en route to the final.
"It is the first big final for all my players," Barker said.
"But I have told them that few players get to play in a cup final
in their entire career and this is a moment to savour."
The Birds' Brazilian coach Julio Leal said that his players had
recovered after a tough season and were refreshed and raring to go.
"The players were tired after playing the last three Absa
Premiership fixtures in the final week of the season," Leal said.
"But we have had two weeks to rest which has done us the world
of good. My players will bounce back revitalised, but we are taking
nothing for granted as I have a healthy respect for Tukkies and
their coach."
The cup winners will pocket a massive R6-million plus a place in
next year's African Confederations Cup. The losers go home R2.5
million richer.
Leal and Barker confirmed that their sides will play in the
Confederations Cup if they win on Saturday.
"We will compete in the Confederations Cup if we win," Leal
said. "I believe it is important for the development of SA soccer
for PSL clubs to compete in Africa."
Barker said the university management had already deiced to
support and assist Tuks if they win the cup.
"We will definitely play in Africa," Barker said. "The
university has ambitions and not just as an African, but world
institution, and they have told me it would be important to play in
the African Confederations Cup if we win on Saturday."
Barker added that although a number of his key players were
being poached by PSL sides, it was not a worry.
"We failed to gain promotion to the PSL which will be our main
goal next season," Barker said.
"I will be meeting all the players next week about their
futures. But the fact that some players have been poached is not a
problem as it started after we beat Kaizer Chiefs in the second
round. The players are focused on winning the final."
Meanwhile, the firts legs of PSL promotion playoffs will be
played on Sunday.
Thanda Royal Zulu face FC Cape Town at Umlazi's SJ Smith Stadium
and in Welkom Carara Kicks host Mpumalanga Black Aces. Both games
kick-off at 3pm.