PIC: Sekhukhune United coach Eric Tinkler

One of the major ambitions of any club is to represent South Africa and their own brand on the African continent, and the Nedbank Cup affords the winners the opportunity to do just that in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Many clubs have taken this route in the past few years, as either Nedbank Cup winners or beaten finalists, including the likes of TS Galaxy, Bloemfontein Celtic, Marumo Gallants and Sekhukhune United.

Should the team that lifts the trophy have already qualified for African club competition through their league placing, then the spot given to the Nedbank Cup goes to the runner-up in the final.

The chance to test yourself against other styles of football from around the continent is invaluable experience for players, something to be treasured.

That is certainly the view of Sekhukhune coach Eric Tinkler as they prepare to take on second-tier Milford FC in their Nedbank Cup quarter-final on Saturday evening (kick-off 18h00).

“I know my chairman (Simon Malatji) will be extremely happy because that’s the target we set ourselves for the season. We want to finish in the top three, because we want to be involved in CAF,” Tinkler said.

“If we can get an opportunity to get there through the Nedbank Cup, that will be beneficial. What better way to qualify for a spot than through the Nedbank Cup? And, if we do finish third, maybe we will allow whoever didn’t finish third the opportunity.”

Milford will present a mighty challenge for Sekhukhune and Tinkler knows they will have to match the work rate of their opponents.

“What we know is that those players from the lower division league will raise their game,” he said. “They will play with a lot of energy and effort; they are all inspired to be where our players are.

“So, if we don’t match their efforts, it will be difficult. Quality doesn’t guarantee you anything. That has been the struggle. We felt it against Highbury and the University of Pretoria and managed to get results.

“This game is not going to be different. We are playing against a team that is at the top of the Motsepe Foundation Championship, so it’s not easy.

“You could argue that we are a top-flight team and doing well in the league, but that doesn’t guarantee that you’ll reach the next round. You’ve got to go out there and be brave to play at a high level. Don’t be complacent or drop the bar.”

The 2019 Nedbank Cup winners TS Galaxy host third-tier Jacksa Spears on Sunday (15h00) and assistant coach Bernard Parker, who scored the winner for Kaizer Chiefs when they lifted the trophy against SuperSport United in 2013, says they will not underestimate their opponents.

“It will be a very tricky fixture against Jacksa Spears, but we’ve done our homework as much as they did. We know what can happen, and what has happened in the past in this competition,” Parker said.

“We are also well aware that we have a strong possibility of going all the way to the final. The big teams – particularly the big three (Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns) – have been surprised.”

Galaxy have had a tricky run in the league but Parker hopes the cup can reignite their form.

“We are well aware of our current form in the PSL domestic league, and the Nedbank Cup,” Parker said. “Personally, as a player who has played in the Nedbank Cup, won and lost it, I am bringing that experience to the players of what this competition does.

“Our preparations at the moment are all about ensuring that we get back to basics and have the right mental levels to compete across the board. We want to consolidate what we’ve built so far – both in the league and the Nedbank Cup.”

The two other Nedbank Cup quarter-finals this weekend sees AmaZulu host second-tier Casric Stars at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday (15h00) and Lamontville Golden Arrows welcome Durban City to the King Zwelithini Stadium in a local derby on Sunday (18h00).