Carling Knockout Cup timing near perfect for Moroka Swallows

Komphela’s side will take on Richards Bay in the opening round of 16 when the competition gets underway later this month.

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With his experience in topflight football, the ex-Kaizer Chiefs mentor knows how crucial domestic trophies are.

"It's multi-pronged from a technical point of view. It gives a hell of a great run to maintain momentum and it also puts you on a test that how many matches in a row in the competition can you win up until you win the trophy and the other one is a question of the financial benefit. It's got a lot of money in it and I think for any other club financial injection is important," Komphela said.

Carling organisers have also dangled a R100 000 carrot for the player voted Man of the Match, and Komphela says that’s added motivation in the cup.

"I just learnt that Man of the Match is R100 000 but that is actually a prize money for winning something significant, end of the season top goal scorer, footballer of the year, whatever it is. Man of the Match, R100 000? That's unbelievable," Komphela added.

"It's earnings for somebody's lifetime. So, it's a great initiative, we welcome that and hope players will take advantage of that. 

It should also translate in their performances that they should all fight. All 22 players on the field must fight to see who's gonna be the one who's going home with R100 000, I wish I were a player."

Komphela admitted he is a little wary of Richards Bay, who beat Swallows in the DStv Premiership at the Dobsonville Stadium last month.

"Tough one, Richards Bay is one of the two teams we lost against in the league and how they play is quite direct and aggressive. So, it's not gonna be an easy one but then again maybe it is an opportunity for us to redeem ourselves that we lost in the first round, let's just win the match so that we proceed."