History fuels Kwanele Kopo's Nedbank Cup ambition at University of Pretoria

Kopo, who was appointed during the off-season, will be in charge when AmaTuks take on Hungry Lions in the Nedbank Cup round of 32 at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium on Sunday (15:00). The fixture guarantees that one Motsepe Foundation Championship side will progress to the last 16.

AmaTuks' return to the round of 32 comes after a disappointing showing last season, when they failed to reach this stage despite being one of the most respected clubs in the competition. The Pretoria-based outfit boast a proud Nedbank Cup pedigree, having reached the final in 2009, where they narrowly lost to Moroka Swallows at Rand Stadium under then-head coach Steve Barker.

That era also cemented University of Pretoria's reputation as one of South African football's leading talent factories.

The club produced several players who went on to enjoy successful top-flight careers, including Andile Jali and Phenyo Mongalo, who joined Orlando Pirates, Mthokozisi Yende, who signed for Kaizer Chiefs, and Warren Bishop, who moved to AmaZulu. Bongani Zungu later followed when he secured a transfer to Mamelodi Sundowns.

Kopo believes that history should serve as both inspiration and motivation for the current squad as the club enters a new phase.

"We are privileged as AmaTuks to have that history, and it's something we speak about a lot," Kopo said, as quoted by Sportswire.

"Not only in terms of the tournament, but also in how we grow players. This is year one of our transition programme."

The former Marumo Gallants coach added that the Nedbank Cup demands focus and hunger, especially against motivated lower-division opposition.

"Everyone knows this competition offers no guarantees. The challenge for us is to reflect the history and prestige of AmaTuks with a performance that allows us to progress."