Derailed City & Sekhukhune set to lock horns

Winless in their last two outings, both Cape Town City and Sekhukhune United will be hoping to get back to winning ways this week, as the clubs prepare to do battle at Athlone Stadium in the DStv Premiership on Wednesday evening.

Kick-off is at 7:30 pm (SA, GMT+2)

After a promising start to the 2023/24 DStv Premiership campaign, which saw City claim wins over Polokwane City and Moroka Swallows, the Citizens head into their next tie on the back of two consecutive defeats.

Eric Tinkler and company first suffered a 2-1 home loss to Kaizer Chiefs in the quarterfinals of the MTN8 earlier this month, which was followed by a 1-0 defeat to SuperSport United in their latest league outing.

Also, City have the upper hand over Babina Noko of late and are unbeaten in their last three matches played. With two wins and one draw to City during this period, Sekhukhune are looking for their first league win against the Citizens since October 2021.

That said, Tinkler is hoping for more promising displays from star midfielder Taahir Goedeman, particularly after his display against Matsatsantsa.

“[Taahir] showed bit of composure, asked for the ball, received the ball, turned, looked to combine, he was the only one, so I’m very proud of him,” Tinkler said.

“He also got 90 minutes in his legs which is something he’s never done before either.

“He’s a very creative player but sometimes he needs to play with a little bit more control, there were a couple of occasions [against SuperSport] where he forced it a little and gave the ball away unnecessarily you know.

“But for the majority [of the time] he is extremely confident on the ball, he combines very well, has good awareness of what’s happening around him and he sees things quicker than others, those are the positives and he needs to work on that.”

While City occupy 6th place on the log, Sekhukhune currently sit in 10th position after their most recent defeat to Moroka Swallows at the Peter Mokaba Stadium last week.

The game against Swallows caused a stir among fans on social media, following Mhango Gabadinho and Bangare Sangare’s goal line incident in stoppage time.

With the ball lofted into the area, the Sekhukhune United goalkeeper caught the ball but was met by an onrushing Gabadinho, who appeared to have pushed Sangare behind the goal line while having a grasp of the ball.

After the goal was given, Brandon Truter called out the match officials, who he believes made a ‘poor’ decision.

"The officials' decision [to give the goal, despite Mhango's push on Sangare] is poor,” Truter said.

“We watched a game on Monday night, a European game between Manchester United and Wolves, where the match officials got it wrong.

“The whole panel was suspended after that incident and here in SA we get away with decisions like that.

"I just hope Safa takes action against the match officials, don't leave it as it is because, like I say, in Europe those decisions get punished."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Cape Town Spurs:

Taahir Goedeman: As a player coming of age under Tinkler, Goedeman has been a shining light for City this season. Goedeman’s x-factor could provide problems in the middle of the park, especially against a Sekhukhune midfield that occupy deeper positions inside their own half.

Sekhukhune United:

Jamie Webber: Webber has been an important component to Sekhukhune’s midfield this season, especially alongside Kamohelo Mokotjo in the engine room. The 25-year-old is also an asset in dead ball situations and could hurt the City backline with his pin-point deliveries.