This weekend, all eyes will be on the Nedbank Cup final at the Moses Mabhida stadium where Kaizer Chiefs will be on the hunt for silverware to salvage what has been a rather disappointing season for the Naturena-based club.
However, the task ahead does not get any easier as they face a TS Galaxy team led by the experienced Dan Malesela who has been able to assemble a formidable side. The NFD outfit has done a fantastic job to get to this stage of the competition and will be eager to end it on a high note. While, on the other hand, the Glamour Boys are already on thin ice after failing to make the Top Eight and are facing pressure to deliver.
Former Orlando Pirates player, Nkosinathi Mqobongo shared his predictions on this fixture as well as others that will be taking place this weekend. Do you agree with his choices?
Match of the Week
Kaizer Chiefs v TS Galaxy (Nedbank Cup)
Match 3 Soccer 6 Pool 18 May S6 V3 P2
League Rankings: Kaizer Chiefs 9th TS Galaxy 8th
Useful facts: It's a true David v Goliath affair if you consider the fact that TS Galaxy have only been campaigning in the National First Division, while Kaizer Chiefs are all of 49 years old and are the most-supported side in the Premier Soccer League. Dan Malesela's charges will be up against it on Saturday, but nothing is ever impossible in the world of football, as shown by recent results in the UEFA Champions League. They have done incredibly well to reach this stage of the competition, having beaten another PSL side in Golden Arrows in the semi-finals, and should be given credit for their sterling efforts no matter what happens at Moses Mabhida Stadium. But truth be told, they will be fancying their chances playing against an Amakhosi side that has really lacked bite this season. It could also be argued that the Soweto giants have been so poor in the latter stages of the season because they have been saving themselves for this showdown. In that case, that's what will make a loss all the more tragic, and it's a possibility their fans don't want to think about. Word is that Ernst Middendorp could be on thin ice, owing to the club's failure to make it into the Top Eight bracket this season, and a win in this encounter will definitely be in his best interests. Zakhele Lepasa has had a fantastic tournament for the NFD side and will again be out to produce a blinder of a performance, which will go a long way in swaying the judges for the Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament award he's nominated for.
Nkosinathi Mqobongo: TS Galaxy win
Genoa v Cagliari (Serie A)
Match 1 Soccer 6 Pool 18 May S6 V3 P2
League Rankings: Genoa 17th Cagliari 12th
Useful facts: Genoa are out of the relegation zone, only just, and it's a must-win game they have against Cagliari if they don't want to be sucked back into it, with only one fixture remaining after this one. One thing's for sure: Cagliari won't be out to do them any favours, as a win could take them to 10th position, depending on other results. Interestingly, Genoa have scored 38 goals, four more than their opponents, but the league table tells a totally different story, which means one thing – they have been poor defensively and will need to shut the back door if they are to get all three points from this game, or even one. The last clash between the two sides, which took place in December last year, ended in a 1-0 win for Cagliari.
Nkosinathi Mqobongo: Genoa win
Manchester City v Watford (FA Cup)
Match 2 Soccer 6 Pool 18 May S6 V3 P2
League Rankings: Manchester City 1st Watford 11th
Useful facts: Fresh from winning the league title last weekend, the dream of a double is alive for Manchester City, who face a tricky Watford side in the final of the FA Cup. Pep Guardiola's side has had the better of the exchanges between the two teams this past season, winning 2-1 away in the first round and securing a 3-1 victory in the second round. What will be a cause for major concern for Watford is that the Citizens are a free-scoring side, having scored a total of 20 goals in the competition so far. How do you shut out such a star-studded, top-quality attack? Watford, meanwhile, have scored 10 goals in the competition so far and will have to bring their A-game if they are to produce an upset on Saturday. The only time Watford have appeared in the final of the FA Cup, they were on the receiving end of a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Everton and this time around they will be hoping for better luck and to write their names in the history books. But they will need to be super good in order to match rampant City.
Nkosinathi Mqobongo: Manchester City win
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