Tim Sukazi backs KwaMhlanga as potential Nedbank Cup final venue

The two clubs are based in Mpumalanga and have recently made use of the KwaMhlanga venue, with Casric using it for their Motsepe Foundation Championship matches in the second tier.

Monday night’s semifinal draw has raised the prospect of an all-Mpumalanga final after Galaxy were drawn at home against Milford FC, while Casric face a tough away assignment against Durban City FC.

The outcome leaves open the possibility of a provincial derby in the final – a scenario Sukazi believes would make KwaMhlanga a fitting host for the decider.

"It never happened before that there would be two teams from KwaNdebele in the semi-final of the Nedbank Cup or any tournament. As a matter of fact even the quarter-final is just a record, so every time they succeed and we do the same we are making history but of course you can imagine, if Casric Stars and us end up in the final, what kind of a final we are gonna have,” Sukazi said.

“It's gonna be a derby and I don't know where the venue is gonna be. I hope it's gonna be here of course because the people deserve it. They've just illustrated today that they love football, they are supporters of their team regardless of the opponent. At any other stadium, probably this is the biggest crowd in the entire quarter-final."

READ: Emotional Bucs Mthombeni eyes Nedbank Cup glory in honour of late mother

The Galaxy boss was quick to acknowledge the hard work put in by Casric Stars to beat two topflight teams to reach the last four of the cup. 

"I'm so happy, I'm very proud of what Casric Stars have done, it's not easy. What they have done thus far, many PSL clubs are not in a position to do it, including us. They went to Orlando, those in the PSL will tell you, when you go to Orlando it's a different environment, different situations, completely all together,” he added.

“How they took Orlando Pirates to the 90th minute, 120 and then went on to win, I just don't know. So, they deserve their place in the semi-final and of course you know how they played against AmaZulu. 

“When I watched that game, it was 1-0 half-time and another radio interviewed me. I made it clear that they are playing like champions. Even if AmaZulu scored a goal, they looked like they were gonna score a second one and indeed it happened. 

“In the last half of extra time you could see that AmaZulu were just clinging you know, just hoping to get to the penalty stage but then Casric eventually got the goal and they deserved it. 

“They are working hard, they've got resilience, they've got determination. So, if you work hard, you'll be rewarded accordingly. They deserve their place, I'm very happy because now history has been written."