The Bloemfontein-based Premier Soccer League club Marumo Gallants will play without fear when they face Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout Cup.

Gallants secured their spot in the semi-finals with a 1-0 win in Rocklands yesterday to eliminate the defending champions, Stellenbosch FC.

The PSL champions, Sundowns, in turn thumped Kaizer Chiefs 4-0 at Soccer City. The first semi-final will be played between Richards Bay and Magesi FC.

The Marumo coach, Dan Malesela, told OFM Sport that they will confront the Brazilians head-on.

“Home games are always an advantage in Cup matches, you know and I said to somebody, all these teams are in the league, and there's no way you can avoid them,” said the former Orlando Pirates captain, who also played for Sundowns.

“So when the draw is made, I don't even try to peek and say, this one or that one, because these teams will meet in the league anyway. It's actually good that you meet teams like Sundowns in Cup matches so that now you start looking at your team, whether you're making progress.

“We met Sundowns very early in the season, and I must be one to admit that we made a lot of mistakes in terms of setting up the team and all these things, because you then give too much respect, and sometimes that respect, you know...

“What is the English word? Whatever it is, is one thing that actually deters your progress. So now we know, I think, and then we know how to plan, and we will plan better, I think.

“There is no disrespect. There is no disrespect at all.”

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The seasoned coach added that it's very important for his players to go into the game without fear, as this can be crippling.

“No, fear is something else, when you are afraid, don't go. Don't even go to the match,” Malesela added.

“I'll tell you something, I always tell players about fear, and I say fear has destroyed a lot of careers, football careers. Because there are players who were very great, very good, and we all can talk about them, in the township and whatever, and say, we grew up with this kid, you know, we saw this kid, this one was at the School of Excellence.

“But once they hit the big league and then they have fear, and they cannot get rid of it, and nobody identifies the fear sometimes, and it kills your football.

“So, if you go to a match and you have fear, ah, you are finished, forget it, don't even go. Don't bother going.”

The Premier Soccer League has confirmed that the semi-final between Gallants and Sundowns will be played at the Petrus Molemela Stadium and kick-off is at 15:00. The final will be played on 23 November at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport