Casric Stars’ man who knows how to beat Chiefs

If there’s one player within the Casric Stars team who knows how to get the better of Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs in a big cup match, it’s Ludwe Mpakumpaku.

The goalkeeper was part of the famous TS Galaxy team that caused arguably the biggest shock in South African football. Under the tutelage of Dan Malesela, they beat Amakhosi in the final of the Nedbank Cup in 2019.

Mpakumpaku was the man who had the honour and privilege of hoisting the Ke Yona trophy high after the little-known Galaxy had stunned Chiefs 1-0 in the final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium that fateful night on 18 May.

EAGER TO HELP CASRIC STARS

And that moment has since shaped the 29-year-old shot-stopper’s career. It gave him a taste of what it’s like to be in the spotlight for all the right reasons.

Mpakumpaku has another opportunity to write his name in lights. This time by helping Casric cause another Nedbank Cup upset against Amakhosi when they meet in their round of 16 clash at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

“The good thing about history is that you can always reflect on it and use it as a reference point,” Mpakumpaku told FARPost.

“And personally, I can say that win over Chiefs in the final showed me that nothing is impossible in football if you believe in yourself.

“This is what I have been preaching to the guys this week. They need to believe that anything is possible and that they are good enough to cause an upset.

CHIEFS IS A BIG TEAM

“Chiefs is a big team, and I know what winning against them can do for a player and a club. I have experienced it before, and it’s something that I wish all my current teammates to experience.

“That moment [winning the Nedbank Cup] will live forever in my memory. I still get people asking me what it felt like. They don’t forget what we did.”

Mpakumpaku has been one of the key players for Casric this season, playing an integral role in their bid to win the Motsepe Foundation Championship and automatic promotion to the DStv Premiership.

He has started 14 matches for the Mpumalanga outfit this season, having overcome an early injury setback that saw him miss four matches earlier this season with a fractured nose.

By Sthembiso Nkabinde 

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