Stellies out to add to AmaZulu's Cup woes

Stellenbosch FC will lock horns with AmaZulu FC in a battle between two DStv Premiership top-eight hopefuls at the Danie Craven Stadium on Friday.

Kick-off is at 7:30 pm CAT.

FORM

Stellies are in great form at the moment, having hammered TS Galaxy 6-3 in a Nedbank Cup last 16 match on 12 March and it was their fifth win in their last six competitive games.

The Western Cape side is currently placed 10th on the DStv Premiership standings - two points behind seventh-placed Royal AM as the race to finish in the top eight heats up.

Meanwhile, AmaZulu are undefeated in their last two league matches, but they succumbed to a 5-4 defeat to Dondol Stars on penalties after a 1-1 draw in a Nedbank Cup last 16 game on 8 March.

Usuthu find themselves placed eighth on the league standings - three points behind sixth-placed Richards Bay as the KwaZulu-Natal giants look to cement their spot in the top eight.

TEAM NEWS

Stellenbosch will be without Venezuelan attacker Juan Carlos Ortíz who is nursing a long-term injury, but the club has no suspension worries coming into the clash with Usuthu.

On the other hand, Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Keagan Buchanan will be missing as the AmaZulu duo is suspended and the club is yet to report injuries ahead of their latest game.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker

"It was a strange type of game [against Galaxy] because you don't expect that kind of result against a team like Galaxy," Barker said.

"I think they've only conceded 15 or so goals, the whole season. To get six against them was a bit surreal but at the same time obviously exciting.

"I just thought we took our chances very well. Every goal that was scored was well taken. But at the back to concede three, on another day you don't win football games if you concede three".

AmaZulu coach Romain Folz

“I need to look at the game [against Dondol Stars] again but I’m pretty sure we had more than 15 clear chances in the box, including hitting the goalpost [twice]. But if you don’t score from your chances against any opponents, you open the door for anything to happen,” Folz said.

“Especially against a team like that, who are more than happy to drag you to extra time, and more than happy to waste seven minutes in the second part of the extra time and drag you to penalties. But again, they scored all their penalties and we didn’t.

"In that regard, they deserve the win and we don’t. But I believe that more than us being beaten by a better opponent, it’s not enough to create opportunities if you don’t score them.”

Stellenbosch FC: PLAYERS TO WATCH

Junior Mendieta: The Argentine playmaker is enjoying his best season in South African football, having netted his sixth goal of the season against Galaxy and he also has seven assists. Mendieta could be key to a win over AmaZulu.

Iqraam Rayners: The in-form striker has scored in each of his last five matches across all competitions - netting eight goals in the process and the former SuperSport United star will be looking to continue his impressive scoring form against Usuthu.

AmaZulu FC: PLAYERS TO WATCH

Hendrick Ekstein: The experienced attacking midfielder grabbed his first goal for AmaZulu when he hit the back of the net against Dondon Stars and the skillful player will be confident of scoring again when he faces Stellenbosch.

Sere Junior Dion: The 29-year-old centre forward, who has quickly established himself as AmaZulu's first-choice striker, has netted three goals in his last seven games in the league. Dion will be keen to score and help his side secure a win.