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Stellenbosch look to open up breathing space

football13 August 2020 14:22| © Backpage TXT
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Robyn Johannes © Getty Images

Stellenbosch will be looking to open up some breathing space between themselves and the Absa Premiership’s relegation zone when they host Golden Arrows at Tuks Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off at the Tshwane venue will be at 1:30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

Stellenbosch, when they were last in competitive action more than five months ago, suffered a second successive loss in the league when they were narrowly beaten 1-0 at home by title-chasing Mamelodi Sundowns on 11 March.

The Cape side has claimed 15 points from 11 home matches so far this season.

Stellies come into the clash placed a seemingly comfortable 11th on the log, though they are in fact only four points above the relegation zone and need a strong restart to ensure they do not get sucked into a pitched battle with the likes of Black Leopards, AmaZulu, Polokwane City and Baroka in the lower reaches.

“Our primary objective right now is to get enough points to ensure we stay in the PSL,” admitted Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker.

“We need to win football matches and put points in the bag. If we get to a situation where we know we are mathematically safe, then we can start looking to the future and next season – but we aren’t taking that for granted.”

Arrows, meanwhile, played to two successive draws in the league when they were last in action, with their latest outing a goalless stalemate at home to Orlando Pirates on 7 March.

Abafana Bes’thende have claimed just 10 points from 11 away matches in the 20192/20 campaign.

The Durban side has a four-point buffer to ninth-placed Bloemfontein Celtic and look well placed to finish in the top half – but nothing will be guaranteed in the race to complete the season.

Arrows coach Steve Komphela says he is bracing himself for a tough end to the season, especially with injuries to players very likely given the tight schedule and lack of preparation time due to the lockdown.

“The games will be coming thick and fast,” said Komphela. “We hope we won’t have too many injuries, but we have seen the data from the leagues restarting overseas that it is a problem we and other teams will have to cope with.”

He added, “It is just seven matches in a short period of time, hopefully we can end the season strongly.”

In head-to-head stats, Stellenbosch and Arrows have met in just one previous top-flight league match. That encounter took place earlier this season at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in September 2019 and ended in a 2-2 draw.

Abafana Bes’thende led 2-0 thanks to a brace from Knox Mutizwa, but Stellies fought back through Iqraam Rayners and Ryan Moon.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

STELLENBOSCH

Robyn Johannes – The veteran centre-back’s experience and composure will be key to Stellenbosch as they look to close out the season strongly and ensure they remain in the top flight of South African football.

Waseem Isaacs – The attacker has enjoyed a fine campaign with Stellies thus far, but the pressure will be on to grab as many goals as possible before the season wraps up, starting with this clash against Arrows on Saturday.

GOLDEN ARROWS

Danny Phiri – The Zimbabwean midfielder has been a key presence for Arrows through the season, and he will be one of the players expected to set an example of commitment and professionalism upon Arrows’ return to competitive action.

Knox Mutizwa – A contender for the top scorer’s prize, Mutizwa’s value to Arrows lies in more than his ability in front of goal. His hard work pressing high up the field and making runs behind the defence underline how important he is to the side's cause.

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