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Stellies eye another dreamy cup run

football22 February 2024 16:46| © Backpage TXT
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After reaching the semifinals of the 2023 instalment of the Nedbank Cup, Stellenbosch FC will renew their journey in the popular tournament when they take on Pretoria Callies in a keenly anticipated Round of 32 clash at the Danie Craven Stadium on Friday evening.

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

Stellies’ impressive run in last year’s Nedbank Cup tournament will no doubt be fresh in the coach and players' minds heading into their fixture against a tricky Pretoria Callies outfit tomorrow.

As for Callies, the Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit crashed out of the competition in the Round of 32 last year, following a 2-1 loss against Golden Arrows at the Princess Magogo Stadium.

CURRENT FORM

The Cape Winelands outfit struggled to find form since the start of the year, picking up a 2-1 defeat against the All Stars XI in the Black Label Cup in January before recording a 1-1 draw against SuperSport United in their most recent DStv Premiership tie.

However, Stellenbosch are currently on an eight-match unbeaten streak in the league and jotted down six wins during this period.

As it stands, Stellies are fourth on the DStv Premiership table, three points behind SSU and Cape Town City who are in third and second position respectively.

Callies head into their next game on the back of a 2-1 defeat against Baroka in the Motsepe Foundation Championship and currently occupy 13th spot on the first division log after 19 matches played.

Prior to their game against Baroka, Callies recorded consecutive victories against Black Leopards and Casric Stars after suffering back-to-back losses against JDR Stars and Platinum City Rovers.

WHAT WAS SAID…

“The second half of the season is always tough because everybody is fighting for something, whether they’re avoiding relegation or trying to finish top-eight or top-four,” Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker said as he maps out his side’s future fixtures.

“It’s going to be a tough road ahead but we’ve already travelled quite a lot so we have a number of home games to look forward to. Hopefully, we can start capitalising on those home games, but we have to stay focused, determined, and stick to what we do well without becoming complacent.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Stellenbosch: Iqraam Rayners – The Stellies forward was the top scorer in the Nedbank Cup last year, scoring six goals en-route to the semifinals. There’s no denying that Rayners enjoys a Cup outing, which will no doubt put the Callies defence on high alert in the upcoming fixture.

Pretoria Callies: Siphelele Mthembu – Fondly known as Shaka Zulu, the former Kaizer Chiefs striker is one of the most experienced players at the club and plied his trade with numerous PSL teams throughout his career. The 36-year-old has seven goals to his name in the league this season and will once again be the point of reference in attack for his side on Friday.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be the first meeting between the two outfits.

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