GU leaves for Port Elizabeth

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Thursday February 25, 2010 00:00

 

The Reds left by bus to Johannesburg where they will catch a flight to the Friendly City, as Port Elizabeth is popularly known. Supporters will leave tomorrow in the evening and arrive in Port Elizabeth the following morning.

'We are very proud to have been given an opportunity to be part of the official opening of a World Cup Stadium,' GU secretary Kagiso Sebele said yesterday. He stated that there are events planned for both teams including players signing of autographs for Port Elizabeth children.

He said that GU will train at the Nelson Mandela University ground. Pirates on the other hand will arrive in Port Elizabeth tomorrow.

Meanwhile, supporters willing to travel to Port Elizabeth and stay in a hotel room alone will pay P850 for the trip.

Those sharing a room for two will pay P665 each. Supporters staying three in a room will pay P600 each. The money will take care of transport, accommodation, food and match tickets.

One bus is already said to be fully booked and the supporters' committee is planning to get a second one. The buses are from Mahube and Sons coaches.

Ahead of the trip, GU coach, Manfred Chabinga refused to talk about the plans to overcome his opponents. He said this would be suicidal as their opponents can use the information. However, he said they are hopeful that they will get a positive result.

He added that his players are responding well at training. Striker, Sageby Sandaka is the only player carrying a knock although he is expected to be fit for the game. It is not clear whether Stephen Maposa will be available for the match since his registration and licensing problems have not been sorted out at the time of going to press.

Maposa was excluded from the first leg after CAF informed GU that there is no indication that he had been given an international clearance when he transferred from Blue Waters in Namibia. However, Botswana Premier League general manager, Phuthego Setete said they are trying to help the player to acquire the licence to play in CAF competitions. Setete leads the GU delegation to Port Elizabeth.

Captain, Branco Molokwane said the players are ready for the showdown. He said it is best that they are the under dogs in the game.

'The best thing to do as players will be to follow the coach's instructions,' he said.