Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker is happy with his team's understanding of small details to grind out results in matches. BackpagePix
Image: Backpagepix
Stellenbosch FC are preparing for a pivotal week, with a significant Tuesday clash that could shape their trajectory in the Betway Premiership, ahead of a continental CAF fixture over the weekend.
On Tuesday, Stellenbosch host AmaZulu in a rare appearance at their Danie Craven Stadium. The fixture offers an opportunity to consolidate their position in the Premiership and build valuable momentum. The team has recently lost ground on the table, recording two wins, two draws, and a loss in their last five outings.
As a result, Stellenbosch have slipped from third to fifth place on the log, putting their CAF qualification hopes for next season in jeopardy. However, a win would see them leapfrog Sekhukhune United and TS Galaxy, reclaiming third spot.
All eyes will be on Stellenbosch to see whether they can capitalise on home advantage to secure crucial points and gain a confidence boost ahead of their upcoming challenge on the African continent.
AmaZulu sit two places below Stellenbosch in seventh and have had an uninspiring recent run, with only one win and one draw in their last five matches. Nevertheless, head coach Arthur Zwane remains optimistic about a top-three finish in the Premiership.
“When we started this season, people saw us as a relegation team, but now we’ve had five chances to reach third position. You can imagine if we had taken advantage — just six points — that would have secured a top-three spot for us,” said Zwane.
The Tuesday fixture presents a strategic dilemma for the Stellenbosch technical team. While preparing for a vital league clash, attention is also turning to the looming CAF commitments. Astute tactical planning will be required to balance the physical and mental demands of two high-stakes matches in quick succession.
As he has done previously, coach Steve Barker may consider squad rotation on Tuesday, managing the fitness and performance of key players with the upcoming challenge against Simba FC in mind.
Stellenbosch lost their last Premiership outing 1-0 at the Seshego Stadium against Magesi, ending a seven-match unbeaten streak. AmaZulu, on the other hand, won their most recent fixture 1-0 against Richards Bay, breaking a four-match winless run.
Stellenbosch triumphed in the last Premiership meeting between the two sides, delivering a resounding 5-0 victory at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium in January. Devin Titus led with a brace, while Khomotjo Lekoloane, Chumani Butsaka, and Ibraheem Jabaar completed the scoring.
AmaZulu will need to be wary of Titus and Ashley Cupido, who have been instrumental for Stellenbosch this season. Titus is the club’s top scorer with six goals — tied for the fourth-highest in the Premiership — three of which were opening goals.
Cupido has netted five times and has been equally influential in attack.
AmaZulu’s attacking hopes will rest on Elmo Kambindu (Namibia), Etiosa Ighodaro (Nigeria), and Hendrick Ekstein, each of whom has scored four goals this season.
