16 August 2018 – Mandebele Happy Fighters Head Coach Hendrick Kekana believes the “underdog” status pinned to his team for Saturday afternoon’s Limpopo Sasol League matchday 20 fixture against First Touch Academy will work in his team’s favour.
With the Polokwane-based club reigning supreme in the Limpopo Sasol League, Thabo Tlouane’s side are the only team yet to drop a point.
“People are always placing labels on us,” Kekana said. “We started the season disappointingly of course, but we still fought hard to revive our campaign and be in the top half of the league table. Everyone thought we would be fighting relegation by now, but here we are. We know First Touch are a good side and they deserve to be the favourites but we like the underdog tag” 
It is certainly going to be a tough challenge for Happy Fighters to beat a First Touch Academy side that has not only dominated the league table, but also played some wonderful attacking football. The visitors possess one of the league’s most creative footballers, Faith Matlou, who has also been regularly on the score-sheet.
Happy Fighters were soundly beaten 5-0 in the first round by First Touch away from home earlier this season and Kekana believes that won’t happen again.
“We know what’s coming our way on Saturday but it’s going to be different now. They have taught us a lesson in the first round and we have learned, so I believe we are better prepared for them this time. It will be all about handling the pressure now.”
For full Limpopo Sasol League week 20 fixture list, click here.