Royal AM captain Samuel Manganyi expressed confidence that club chairman Andile Mpisane would score in the KZN Premier’s Cup knockout match against Milford FC at Prince Mangosuthu Regional Stadium on Saturday.

Mpisane, who made only two league appearances last season, one of which was cut short at halftime against AmaZulu, entered the game late in the second half and converted a penalty in their 4-3 victory. Royal AM will now face the same Usuthu side at the same venue on Sunday in the second leg semifinal.

“We chose him to take the penalty because we were confident he would score,” Manganyi told Sportswire. “Even in Friday’s penalty shootout training, he scored. We were certain he would convert.”

This marked the first decisive goal of Mpisane’s fledgling playing career.

Royal AM, three-time winners of the KZN Premier’s Cup (2016, 2017, and 2022), will face defending champions AmaZulu. Manganyi expressed readiness for the challenge.

“We’re prepared for AmaZulu,” said Manganyi, a former KZN Premier’s Cup winner with Royal AM. “We would have been ready regardless of the opponent.”

The AmaZulu-Royal AM match will kick off at 11pm in Ulundi. This will be the second semifinal, following the Richards Bay-Maritzburg United encounter.

Pictures courtesy of Mdu Ngcobo