Al Wahda head coach Pitso Mosimane has explained what excites him about the UAE League Cup ahead of their clash against Emirates on Wednesday.
Mosimane’s troops host Emirates in the League Cup first leg at their home Ground, Al Hahyan Stadium, on Wednesday, 30 August, at 4 pm.
The former Al Ahly coach says the UAE League Cup gives him an opportunity to play foreign players who have been struggling for game time since the start of the new season.
The UAE Pro League‘s foreign player limit of six has made it challenging for Mosimane to field all of his non-Emirati stars at the same time
And now the Kagiso-born mentor is pleased with this Cup encounter as it will provide a chance for some of his players to showcase their talent in front of their home fans.
The former Bafana Bafana coach’s outfit is coming to this clash with confidence following their 2-1 win against Al Jazira in their UAE Pro League local derby at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium last week.
Mosimane to use UAE League Cup to give foreign players game time
“A cup game is totally different from a league match,” said Mosimane. “We have the first leg at home, which gives us and other teams a role to give other foreign players a chance to play.
“I think all teams will give other foreign players a chance to play, too. We have no option but to get the balance of the league with the number of foreigners in the field.
“I think a player like Cristian Guanca is healthy after he has been sick. Ruben Filipe Canedo Amaral is a left-foot player. But he has not been playing, as we have been using a local right-foot player at that position because of the number of foreigners needed in the field. But I think he will get a chance. We also have Omar Khribin, who can also get a chance.”
Mosimane will be hoping his side start the first round on a positive note against Emirates, who have not registered a win in their two opening league matches.
The Ras Al Khaimah-based outfit is heading to this encounter after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Al Wasl, and last week, they played to a 4-4 draw against Ajman, and they will be aiming to return home with a positive against Mosimane’s team.
Story by Tshifhiwa Luvhengo
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