When a young Sibusiso Mapompo was still finding his feet at Bush Bucks in Mthatha, he would merely greet and pass Thabo September who at the time was playing for the senior team.
Some days they would have an idle chat and little did he know that years later they would cross paths as coaches.
“He was a friend of my older brother while I was still playing for the development side,” Mapompo said.
“I never got a chance to play with him or against him at Bush Bucks because by the time I made the first team he was gone.
“I look forward to meeting him on the pitch.”
He will mentor Bizana-based ABC Motsepe League outfit FC Ravens in a highly anticipated Nedbank last-16 Eastern Cape derby against the September-led Chippa United and co-coach Kwanele Kopo in the dugout at the Buffalo City Stadium in East London on Saturday.
The mouthwatering clash will be the second official game played at the revamped historic East London venue in almost eight years.
Chippa United navigated a tricky fixture in beating ABC Motsepe league side NC Pros 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup round of 32 to proceed to the last 16.
Third-tier side FC Ravens booked their berth in the last 16 after beating fellow third-tier side Spain FC from the Northwest 3-1 on penalties.
The game finished 1-1 after extra-time.
Though they will go in as underdogs, Mapompo believes they have a trick up their sleeve to upset the Premier Soccer League giants who are still licking their wounds after their 2-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns in the DStv Premiership.
While the Chilli boys will be looking to bounce back, Ravens will hope to continue their unbeaten streak.
The men from Bizana have not lost a league game in their 10 matches and are coming off a 4-0 thrashing of both September and Mapompo’s mutual club Bush Bucks.
“It is an Eastern Cape derby, but we are the inferior side. They must be aware we will give them a run for their money,” Mapompo said.
“They have been on a good run under the new coaches in the PSL, we watched their game against Sundowns.
“They were unfortunate to lose that match before they had chances of which they could have converted on another day.
“We have prepared well for them, we know what they will be bringing to the table, and we have plans for that.
“But all that will depend on the players’ mentality that they must not be big-headed and want to do things out of the ordinary because all of sudden now they are playing a PSL side.
“It will be important to keep cool heads, stick to the plan and play as a team.
“I know it will be the biggest game for the club because we have only been around for two seasons,” he said.
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