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Buoyant Stellenbosch target more derby success against City

football25 September 2024 08:35| © Backpage TXT
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stellis players @ Gallo images

Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker is keen to move on from the disappointment of their defeat on matchday 1 as he looks to bounce back against Cape Town City at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday, September 25.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM:

The Maroons started the new Betway Premiership season with a 2-0 loss to Golden Arrows at the same venue on September 18, having been undone by two goals in the final 20 minutes.

Barker's side had won their previous six matches in the MTN 8 and Caf Confederation Cup, reaching the final in the former competition and qualifying for the group stages of the latter.

Stellies will be particularly buoyed by their 1-1 draw against AS Vita Club in Kinshasa on Sunday which was the first time they had played a competitive match outside South Africa.

The Cape Winelands outfit have a good record against City, winning both home and away in the league last season and going unbeaten in their last seven meetings.

Eric Tinkler's side had to settle for a point on the opening weekend after being held to a 1-1 draw by Royal AM in Pietermaritzburg.

Prins Tjiueza gave the Citizens the lead after just eight minutes, but they were denied all three points when Motebang Sera equalised six minutes from time.

City had also featured in the MTN 8, although their journey ended in the semifinals following a 3-1 defeat on aggregate to defending champions Orlando Pirates.

WHAT WAS SAID:

Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker

"It's obviously not the result we wanted to start off the season in the league. Football can bring you back down to earth and humble you, so it's not the start we wanted.

"I wouldn't say I'm pleased with our performance (against Golden Arrows), but it didn't warrant the two-nil loss. It puts us back down to earth and we need to get over this as quickly as possible and learn very quickly.

"We are on a learning curve with the club fighting on all of the fronts this season so it is important that we learn and move forward from this.

"We are still positive, it doesn't help to dwell on this loss. We have to focus on the big derby in our next league game."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Stellenbosch - Lehlohonolo Mojela has hit the ground running at Stellies, scoring three goals in seven appearances across all competitions since making the move from TS Galaxy in July. The 28-year-old striker missed the clash with Arrows, but is in line to make his league debut against the Citizens.

Cape Town City - Darwin Gonzalez was a real livewire on the left against Arrows, especially in the first half when he created an early chance for Haashim Domingo with a dangerous ball across the six-yard box before he struck the base of the right post with a volley in the 44th minute. The 30-year-old winger didn't really kick on last term after scoring six goals in his first season at the club, managing just four in the league last time around.

Head-to-Head: (Previous Five League Meetings)

Matches - 5

Stellenbosch wins - 4

CT City wins - 0

Draws - 1

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