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Babina Noko return to DStv Premiership action in Chippa clash

football05 December 2023 13:40| © Backpage TXT
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Sekhukhune United @ Gallo images

After a successful outing in the CAF Confederations Cup last week, Sekhukhune United will turn their attention to Chippa United, where they will host the Chilli Boys at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in the DStv Premiership on Wednesday night.

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

While Sekhukhune have struggled to yield positive results in the DStv Premiership in recent months, Babina Noko go into their next game on the back of a 2-1 win over Diables Noirs in the CAF Confederations Cup.

After a run of five matches without a win, Sekhukhune United last recorded a 2-1 win over SuperSport United in their most recent DStv Premiership clash, which took place on 12 November at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

As the home team, Babina Noko bagged just one win on home soil in the league this season, while recording three losses and one draw in five matches on their own patch so far.

Looking ahead to Wednesday's clash, head coach Lehlohonolo Seema had the following to say: "We're coming up against a wounded Chippa United, that will test us. But we we need these three points like we need oxygen and we will make it very difficult for them."

While Sekhukhune go into their next game with a win to their name, Chippa United are without a victory in their last four matches in the DStv Premiership.

The Chilli Boys recorded a 0-0 draw with Stellenbosch in their most recent fixture and subsequently dropped down to 12th in the league following their result at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium.

As the away side, Chippa recorded two wins, two stalemates and one defeat in their last handful of games on the road this season.

Speaking of his team’s progress recently, coach Morgan Mammila revealed that his side’s next goal is do well in the month of December before tackling the Nedbank Cup.

“The target now is three points for the next five matches,” Mammila said.

“I think they will find us ready and we need three/four wins now. So unfortunately they are coming to face us at a wrong time.

“We are going to bulldoze everyone to get the three points. My team is much stronger and better.

“When you look at the fixtures, at the beginning our target was to do well now up until January so that in February we can fully concentrate on the Nedbank Cup.

“We want to do well in the Nedbank Cup, knowing that we are safe in the league. We are competing for the Top 8 but we can also end the season in style, you know.”

“The plan is to play in the final in the Nedbank Cup.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Sekhukhune United:

Daniel Cardoso: Cardoso is one of Sekhukhune’s most experienced players and has been a stalwart at centre-back in the last couple of seasons. The former Kaizer Chiefs star has been playing with confidence in recent months, especially as a leader in the Babina Noko backline.

Chippa United:

Ronaldo Maarman: As a player looking to become a permanent fixture in Morgan Mammila’s starting XI, Maarman has impressed for the Chilli Boys this season. The attacker’s pace and trickery makes him a difficult customer to deal with, especially when taking on defenders in one-on-one scenarios.

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