Sekhukhune drop place in the league but delighted with draw

Sekhukhune United coach Lehlohonolo Seema said he was delighted at a share of the spoils in atrociously windy conditions away at Stellenbosch in the DStv Premiership on Saturday night.

The draw extended the Limpopo-based club’s unbeaten league run to eight games, although they slipped from third to fourth in the standings as Orlando Pirates overtook them with their runaway 7-1 win over Lamontville Golden Arrows.

“We are very happy to come away with a point here. This is really like a slaughterhouse and I can see why it is just so difficult for visitors to get points here,” said Seema after the goalless draw.

“It was a very, very difficult game for us but we knew that. However, the weather did not make it easier for both teams.”

There was a howling wind that blew from one side of the Danie Craven Stadium to the other, with Sekhukhune having the advantage of the wind in their backs in the first half.

“We had some few chances where we could have put and I could hear my colleague (Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker) telling his players to manage it until halftime.

They were waiting for the favour of the weather in the second half.

“At halftime, we spoke about that and said ‘there's nothing that we can do’, nothing we can play but just to try defend better against them. ‘If we cannot defend on our 18-yard area line, then let’s defend on six-yard box and if not, then goalkeeper, do your job on the line’.”

THIRD GAME IN SEVEN DAYS

Badara Ali Sangare made two sharp saves in the second half to deny Stellenbosch a home win. “We were happy to close out the game.”

It was a third game in seven days for Sekhukhune, who last week upset Pirates and then drew with a strong Cape Town City side in midweek.

They now have a 10-day break before taking on Stellenbosch again in the league but Seema does not feel that after drawing away with Stellenbosch – who they have never lost to previously – they now have a morale booster.

“Not a chance. You are talking about the No 2 in the league. This team (Stellenbosch) has proven it can collect points away from home so there's no edge for us.”