Amakhosi head coach Fernando Da Cruz took questions from the assembled media on Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s Carling Knockout Cup quarterfinal at home against Siwelele at the New Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane:

On the opportunity to reach the semifinals of a cup competition:
Our target is to qualify for the next round. We have a lot of respect for Siwelele, but we are determined to go through to the last four.

On having already beaten Siwelele in the league this season:
I have told the players to forget about that game. It’s in a different competition altogether. They have a new coach and a different starting XI, so the previous game means nothing for this one. We have to just focus on how we want to play this game.

On playing ‘at home away from home’:
Whether we play in Joburg or Polokwane, our focus on the game we must play is the same. We are only concentrating on the match. 

On guarding against a possible cup upset on Sunday:
The players are aware that we need a ‘cup spirit’, which is different to a PSL game. Upsets can happen in football, so we know we must play the match with a winning spirit in order to ensure that does not happen to us.

On what winning this cup would mean to them:
When we start a cup competition, our intention is always to win the trophy. Winning it can mark the start of a good momentum for the Club, the players and everybody going forward.

On the January transfer window:
There are two months until January, so there is still time and matches to play. We don’t just want to recruit players. We want to add value to the squad, so it is very important to do it right. We know that we have a lack of experience in certain positions to help and support our young, talented players every day in training to develop and mature.