Smiso Msomi
AmaZulu head coach Pablo Franco Martin has been left stressed over his side’s participation in the tenth edition of the KZN Premier’s Cup.
The annual pre-season spectacle that has been held around the province for several years will now make a detour to the rural grounds of Ulundi where the Prince Mangosuthu Stadium will play host. Usuthu are no strangers to those mountains in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal, with Franco and his men having won the Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup there last year.
Now the Spaniard will look to awaken the spirits of past success but has been is anxious surrounding the logistics involved in preparing his team. AmaZulu will play in the tournament alongside Golden Arrows, Richards Bay FC, Royal AM as well as Motsepe Foundation Championship sides Maritzburg United and Milford.
Speaking at the tournament’s launch yesterday, Martin expressed that although AmaZulu were excited about defending their trophy, he had great concern about the logistics.
“That is a very competitive tournament and those games prepare us very well for the start of the season,” he said.
“But as a head coach, I’m concerned. It’s a tournament that will be played in an injury-prone stadium a week before the season starts. We don’t even have accommodation as we speak and we’re supposed to play a game at 11am (on the first day) and we’re (based) far (away), so it’s not possible to travel the same day before we play the game.
“I’m very concerned because what every coach wants a week before the start of the season is to play under the best conditions and pitches, as well as reduce the risk of injuries.”
KZN Premier Thami Ntuli addressed the reasoning behind his office’s decision to stage the competition in Ulundi this year.
“The reason behind hosting this tournament especially in the rural areas is because we’re sending a message that we want to see sports development everywhere in the province of KwaZulu-Natal,” he said.
“Next year we may not be heading to Ulundi but maybe in the Tugela region (western part of KZN) or Mkhanyakude (the northernmost municipality in the province) depending on the infrastructure.”
AmaZulu will play the opening match of the tournament on Saturday against their fiercest enemies Abafana Besthende, having suffered defeat to them in the last game of last season.
The two clubs have a long-standing rivalry, one that will provide much-needed drama in the first match of the tournament and Martin is also relishing it.
“We know it’s always difficult to play against them, it’s going to be a good fight and hopefully we can do the same as last season and lift the trophy.”