Kaizer Chiefs defender Daniel Cardoso has warned his team-mates against complacency as they prepare to take on Maritzburg United in the Telkom Knockout semi-finals.
Amakhosi were shocked 1-0 in the Nedbank Cup final last season by First Division side TS Galaxy and Cardoso is determined not to let a poor mentality again prevent Chiefs from claiming their first piece of silverware in four years.
The Glamour Boys required penalties in both their first-round TKO win over Cape Town City and their quarter-final clash with arch-rivals Orlando Pirates.
“Playing the bigger teams in the cup is always a better thing because you’re more focused. Some players can drop a bit against the smaller teams,” said Cardoso, according to Times Live.
“Like when we played against Galaxy – we thought that was going to be an easy game and they surprised us and the country. So we mustn’t go into this match thinking, ‘It’s Maritzburg – we’ve got past the two biggest hurdles and we can take it down a notch.’
“I think the players know what’s at stake – and this is another chance for us to win silverware. We haven’t won a trophy in four years. It’s not normal for Chiefs. For myself, I haven’t won a trophy. Many players here haven’t. So I’m sure it’s in the back of their minds – just one extra push and we’re into the final.”
Chiefs will lock horns with the Team of Choice at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.