Khurishi Mphahlele: Baroka will beat Orlando Pirates and go on to become cup kings of South African football

Baroka FC club chairman Khurishi Mphahlele is confident that Bakgaga will be cup kings of South African in the next five years.

Mphahlele was speaking ahead of the Bakgaga's clash with Orlando Pirates in the 2018 Telkom Knockout Cup final at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.

“When we gained promotion to the PSL (in 2016-17), I made it very clear that we are here to add value not to add numbers," Mphahlele told IOL. 

"Winning Cups has always been our ambition and we are (a) step closer to fulfilling that goal. I’m happy that the team is in the final and I’m looking forward to have my hand on that trophy next week," he continued. 

"It will be a blessing for us to win this Cup. We want to make the people of Limpopo proud. I’m sure everyone wants to see Baroka win this Cup,” he added.

Bakgaga defeated much-fancied sides Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits on their way to the final of South Africa's League Cup. 

“I’m always preaching the words of winning Cups. Our average age is 23. In the next five years we will be kings of the Cups. There are Amakhosi of Cups and we will be Kings in the next five years," he explained.

"Our success as a club was built around fairness. We treat everyone fairly. We work hard. We have (an) identity as a club. We mustn’t lose that. We are a team from rural areas," he added.

"We are from the poorest of the poor. We will stay in rural areas. Our MEC is organising buses for us to PE. We are busy with that. We are hoping for 15 buses,” Mphahlele said.

The Limpopo-based side will face one of the biggest football clubs in the country in Pirates in the final.

“Pirates is the best run team. I want my team to be like Pirates. Pirates is the best professional run team. I wish I can be like them. They are currently the best in the country," he stressed.

The Buccaneers will be making their ninth appearance in the League Cup final having won the tournament once (in 2011).

"They are playing good football. We are up against the potential league winners. Beating them will be a huge achievement. If we beat them we will be respected.” Mphahlele concluded.

Bakgaga will be making their first appearance in a major cup final since the inception of the club in 2007.