Highlands Park assistant coach Victor Tshabalala has provided some background on their Gauteng ABC Motsepe League rivals, Free Agents FC who will face Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup.
Free Agents were drawn against Betway Premiership outfit Chiefs when the draw for the Nedbank Cup Round of 32 was announced on Thursday evening.
READ | OFFICIAL: PSL confirm fixtures for Nedbank Cup last 32
Tshabalala acknowledges that Amakhosi are the favorites to advance, but he warns that an upset can occur if Free Agents are underestimated.
"For Free Agents to qualify for the Round of 32, they defeated us in the earlier stages. We were leading 1-0 when they were awarded a penalty. The match ended 1-1, and we lost in the penalty shootout," he told KickOff.
"If Chiefs give them space, Free Agents will capitalize, as they are proficient at rotating the ball. Their passing tactics are solid, and they aren't afraid to play.
"All of their players may be relatively unknown, and they currently sit in 12th position in the ABC Motsepe League.
"They started the season well, but as the games progressed, they struggled to earn points. They have played 14 matches, winning 4, drawing 3, and losing 7. They have scored 9 goals and conceded 16, totaling 15 points.
READ | Teko on Chiefs: This is what you need at big teams!
"However, as we know, football depends heavily on performance on the day, so Chiefs must not underestimate them.
"If Chiefs do not take them seriously, Free Agents are more than capable of causing an upset.
"Free Agents do not rely on a kick-and-rush style; they favor three-meter passes and are not afraid to take control of the game. They often play in triangles."