Why Nedbank Cup elimination was “blessing in disguise” for Casric Stars
Although a fairytale run in the Nedbank Cup would have been good for Casric Stars, one of their stars believes their elimination from the competition was “a blessing in disguise.”
The Motsepe Foundation Championship log leaders were dumped out of the Ke Yona Cup by Kaizer Chiefs in March.
This, according to goalkeeper Ludwe Mpakumpaku, has allowed the Mpumalanga side to fully focus on their main target, which is winning the title.
CASRIC STARS FOCUSED ON THEIR GOAL
Mpakumpaku reckons progression deeper into the Ke Yona Cup would have been an unnecessary distraction. That is why he insists he wasn’t too gutted when they bombed out.
Since their elimination, Casric have been able to focus on their goal of clinching automatic promotion to the DStv Premiership by winning the league.
They lead the pack with two games to go having collected 54 points from 28 matches, one point more than Cape Town Spurs, who are second in the standings.
“It would have been nice to go deep in the Nedbank Cup. But I think it was best that things happened the way they did. We couldn’t afford any distractions,” Mpakumpaku told FARPost.
“I know that winning that competition [Nedbank Cup] has its rewards financially and otherwise, but the bigger goal for us is getting promotion to the Premiership.”
Mpakumpaku, who has won the Nedbank Cup before with TS Galaxy, is desperate to make his dream come true. He is eager to play in the top flight.
The 29-year-old was not retained by the Rockets when they purchased the status of Highlands Park in 2020. As they moved up to the top flight, he remained in the second tier with Richards Bay.
After helping Richards Bay earn promotion to the land of milk and honey last season, the goalie was discarded.
LUDWE MPAKUMPAKU’S PSL DREAM
Mpakumpaku hopes that he will finally get to turn up in the elite league with Casric should they clinch promotion.
“It was very hard to watch from outside when I thought I had contributed enough to deserve a place in the top flight,” added Mpakumpaku.
“But sometimes football is like that. You maybe don’t always get what you deserve. I have another opportunity now, and that’s all I’m focused on.”
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