Martin signals worry over AmaZulu’s level ahead of Nedbank derby clash
AmaZulu coach Pablo ‘Cijimpi’ Martin has raised concern about his team’s ability to regain their pre-AFCON level as they gear up to host neighbors Royal AM in the Nedbank Cup last 32 tonight.
The former Simba coach believes his side have dropped from their form before the AFCON enforced break. He feels that his side will get up to speed after a few matches.
Martin witnessed his side slumping to a 3-1 defeat to Cape Town Spurs over the weekend.
“The problem now after the break is that we are not at the same level that we used to be and this game is coming soon because this game is crucial for us to win before playing Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday.
“When we reach the last 16 we will be in a better shape and I think we are going to have our chances like we did in the Carling Knockout. If we can convert them, we can go far. If we can reach our best level again soon and keep improving the way we have been in the first part of the season, I think we are capable of beating any team in the country,” Martin told the media in a press conference on Tuesday.
Martin also sounded the possibility of the match ending in extra-time or via penalty shootouts.
“We are not in our best moment and we need to understand that this is a knockout game and no way back. It is going to be a game which may not be decided in 90 minutes, but 120 or even a penalty shoot-out.
“We will try to do our best and fight for the win. We are trying to be better. If we keep on doing like that, I will be happy.
We need to be realistic, AmaZulu is now a better team than a few months ago and this is what we are trying to do. Sometimes results don’t go our way, but we want to keep going with the process of improving this team and the players, which is what we are doing,” he added.