Zothwane wary of Richards Bay threat in Carling Knockout last 16

Sekhukhune United coach Papi Zothwane says Richards Bay’s appointment of Bulgarian coach Dimitar Pantev has made their Carling Knockout last-16 tie more difficult to assess.

The two sides will meet next weekend, with Pantev hoping to take his place in the Richards Bay technical area after missing Tuesday’s 4-1 Betway Premiership defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns.

Pantev was absent because of delays in securing his work permit. His arrival, however, has added uncertainty for Zothwane, who believes The Natal Rich Boys may adopt a different approach under their new manager.

Richards Bay’s league performances, he suggested, may offer little indication of how they will play in the cup.

“It will be a very difficult fixture considering who we are up against and that I was also a former coach of the club,” Zothwane said.

“They’ve got a new coach on that side with a different philosophy, and maybe their approach in the cup will be completely different to what we’ve been seeing from them in the league.”

Zothwane’s Sekhukhune United secured home advantage for the tie, a factor he considers particularly important after the club have travelled extensively so far this season.

The coach, who previously played for Golden Arrows and Mamelodi Sundowns, also plans to draw on his experience of reaching cup finals and winning silverware as he seeks to take Babina Noko further in the competition.

“My experience has to rub off on the technical team and all the players because it’s important for me to share memories of going all the way to the final and winning it against one of the biggest teams in Africa,” he said.

“We just have to win one game at a time, and if we do that anything is possible.”

Zothwane took charge of Sekhukhune United after Cedric Kaze’s spell ended following only seven games in charge. Despite the change in the dugout, Zothwane said the club’s targets remain the same.