While Polokwane City rises to the occasion in the DStv Premiership this season, Lehlohonolo Seema and company have now set their sights on doing well in the Carling Knockout Cup when they take on Stellenbosch quarterfinals on Friday night.
Kick-off is at 7:30pm (SA, GMT+2)
Rise and Shine go into their game against Stellies on the back of a five-match unbeaten streak in all competitions, which includes a 4-1 win over SuperSport United in the Carling Knockout Cup.
In facing a star-studded Matsatsantsa in the first round, goals from Oswin Appolis, Ndamulelo Maphangule and Hlayisi Chauke were enough for Polokwane City to advance to the quarterfinals of the popular competition.
Polokwane City then recorded a 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates in the DStv Premiership in their most recent encounter, as coach Lehlohonolo Seema and company continued their positive run of form upon their return to top flight football.
Reflecting on their run in the Carling Knockout Cup, Seema expects a ‘difficult’ fixture when they welcome Stellies to the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday.
"It's always nice for the teams that are so-called small to remain in these competitions. Most of the time you find that these competitions become one-sided and they become boring," Seema said.
"These matches [the quarterfinals] are going to be nice but we are not looking at any team and saying 'yeah, this one is going to be easier than others'. All of them [the remaining eight teams] are tough."
"The good thing is we will be playing at home but Stellenbosch are a very difficult team, so we are expecting a very difficult game,'' the Polokwane trainer said.
As for Stellenbosch, the Cape Winelands side go into their next game on the back of a morale boosting 2-1 win over Chippa United in their initial Carling Knockout Cup fixture.
Prior to the game against Chippa, Stellenbosch bagged a 3-0 win over TS Galaxy in the DStv Premiership last month. The result saw Steve Barker and his side record back-to-back wins in the PSL for the first time since August.
After falling short in the semifinals of the Nedbank Cup last season, including a semifinal exit in this year’s edition of the MTN8 tournament, Barker believes that their painful exits are a motivation to go one better in the Carling Knockout Cup.
"That pain that we felt in the last two cup competitions is driving us,” Barker said.
“That is the aim, to go as far as we can and lift the trophy.
“It would be great for us as a team to lift the inaugural Carling Knockout, but before we get there, there are a couple of hurdles left."
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Polokwane City:
Given Mashikinya: The industrious midfielder was a star performer during Rise & Shine’s 1-1 draw against Pirates in their most recent league encounter. Mashikinya is also one of his side’s most experienced campaigners and will no doubt be relied upon to produce the goods against Stellenbosch.
Stellenbosch FC:
Kgaogelo Sekgota: As a direct and skilful runner with the ball at his feet, Sekgota has the ability to cause all sorts of problems in the Polokwane City defence. Also, the Carling Knockout Cup has been a good hunting ground for Sekgota, with the attacker getting his name on the scoresheet during his side’s 2-1 win over Chippa United in the first round.