With the Carling Knockout Cup kicking off on an exciting note, Richards Bay and Moroka Swallows will do battle in their first-round clash at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Kick-off is at 3:00pm (SA, GMT+2)

Richards Bay head into their next clash on a poor run of form and only managed to accumulate six points from nine games in the DStv Premiership so far.

Also, Richards Bay’s recent form consists of just one win in their last five games in the league, which includes defeats at home to Chippa United and Polokwane City.

Even more worryingly for the hosts, Richards Bay are yet to record a victory on home soil this season, recording four losses and one draw at the King Zwelithini Stadium.

Following their 1-0 loss to Polokwane City earlier this month, Richards Bay coach Kaitano Tembo mentioned that a positive attitude will help his side get back to winning ways again.

“I think all I need is the response that I get from the players,” Tembo mentioned.

“If I was not getting that response in the performance, I would be worried. But if I get such a response with players giving me everything that they have got.

“Attitude towards training has been good and [attitude] towards matches has been brilliant. That’s all I can ask for. For me, that’s a starting point.

“In terms of us, if we were not also creating chances, I was gonna be worried as well. But we are creating a lot of opportunities. So, we just need to continue working hard and continue believing. That’s very important.

“And hopefully, we will come around.”

Over at Swallows, Steve Komphela and company appear to be doing much better than their upcoming opponents.

Currently fourth in the league, the Dube Birds recorded three wins, one draw and one defeat in their last five DStv Premiership games.

However, Swallows will be mindful of the 1-0 loss they suffered against Richards Bay earlier this season, where Justice Figuareido scored the only goal of the game at the Dobsonville Stadium.

Nevertheless, Komphela is hoping that big money incentives will drive his players to do well in the Carling Knockout Cup as they prepare to face a wounded Natal Rich Boyz side this weekend.

"I just learnt that man of the match is R100 000, that is actually a prize money for winning something significant at the end of the season...top goal-scorer, footballer of the year, whatever it is,'' Komphela said at the Carling Knockout Cup press conference.

"Man of the match R100 000? It's unbelievable.... [it's a] salary, this earning is for somebody's lifetime, so it's a great initiative and we welcome that.

“I hope players will take advantage of that and it should also translate to the performances...they should all fight to see who's going to be the one going home with R100 000."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Richards Bay:

Somali Ntsundwana: The talented midfielder has been a regular for Richards Bay this season and will no doubt be tasked to provide the spark in the final third of the pitch. In playing against a team that plays out from the back, Ntsundwana can hurt the Swallows defence on the counter-press, whether it be by providing a final ball or having a go at goal himself.

Moroka Swallows:

Tshegofatso Mabasa: Currently the top goalscorer in the DStv Premiership, Mabasa will once again be relied upon to produce the goods in attack for Swallows. With Richards Bay conceding goals on a regular basis, Mabasa can no doubt capitalise on the Natal Rich Boyz’ backline struggles.