Sekhukhune target win against struggling Spurs

Sekhukhune United will be aiming for three points in their next DStv Premiership showdown when they face Ernst Middendorp’s wounded Cape Town Spurs at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday evening, 20 April.

Kick-off is at 5pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

CURRENT FORM

Babina Noko had an impressive run of form where they won five matches back-to-back in the league during the period of February to March.

Currently, the team are without a win and have drawn their last three games in the league, playing an entertaining 2-2 match against Cape Town City and two draws when they faced Stellenbosch during April. They are fourth on the log standings.

For the Urban Warriors, the team is still rooted at the bottom in 16th place, five points from the relegation play-off position. Spurs have lost three games in a row in the league to Moroka Swallows, Chippa United and league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns respectively.

It is crucial for the Cape Town outfit to pick up points from here on out if they are to survive and keep their top-flight status.

WHAT WAS SAID

Cape Town Spurs coach Ernst Middendorp remains set on his stance that the team’s mission at the moment is to try and finish 15th. He has been incredibly vocal about not getting carried away as there might have been too much damage done to their season already.

“We will believe and go into the next game [against Sekhukhune]. Hopefully we can get something out of it,” he said.

After the Afcon break, the Urban Warriors went through a decent run of form which was a huge improvement to their poor start to the campaign, picking up eight points out of a possible 12.

It seems as though they’ve run out of steam as they’ve lost their last three games. But Middendorp is still sticking to the plan.

“We had a good start, we had a good moment. Probably certain teams didn’t take us serious. But I’ve said it before, we will win two or three games in a row and we will lose two or three games in a row,” he concluded.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Daniel Cardoso, Sekhukhune United - The seasoned defender’s experience will come in handy to stand firm in the backline to prevent Spurs from breaking through the defence on the counter, which is something the team excels at doing.

Asenele Velebayi, Cape Town Spurs - The 21-year-old winger is a threat when it comes to scoring, assisting and placing crosses into the box. If on form, he will prove troublesome with his pace to the opposition.