Dube Birds out to dent Stellies' top-two hopes

Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker has urged his team to keep working towards their target of achieving CAF Champions League football when they face Moroka Swallows at the Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM:

The Maroons recently saw their impressive 25-match unbeaten run in all competitions come to end with a 2-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup semifinals last weekend.

Barker's side then dropped points for the first time in four games after being held to a 0-0 draw by AmaZulu in midweek which opened the door for Orlando Pirates in the race for a top-two finish.

Stellies remain undefeated in their last 19 outings in the DStv Premiership, although they are now just one point ahead of the Buccaneers in the second place with three fixtures left to play.

The Dube Birds aren't mathematically safe yet as they find themselves just five points clear of the danger zone in 13th position with nine points left to play for.

Their goal difference (-11) is only two more than that of Richards Bay, who currently occupy the promotion/relegation playoff spot.

Musa Nyatama's side have lost three of their last five games after going down 2-0 to Cape Town City in midweek, with the Natal Rich Boyz picking up a point in a goalless draw against Polokwane City.

WHAT WAS SAID:

Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker

"We want to be playing on the continent ourselves and we still have a lot of work to be done in the league to get that.

"I can confidently say we are on the right track. If we can take Sundowns the way we did [on Sunday] and push them all the way, I do believe that it was a good sign for us.

"We would like to test ourselves and play in the Champions League. I just saw [on Sunday] that there is still a gap between them and ourselves.

"It is good to see that because now we have to measure and close that gap as quickly as possible."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

MOROKA SWALLOWS - Gabadinho Mhango will be looking to put the penalty disappointment against the Citizens behind him after blazing over from the spot in the 13th minute. The 31-year-old Malawian striker is still the Bids' best source of goals, having found the back of the net six times in 21 appearances this season and they need him to deliver if they want to stave off relegation.

STELLENBOSCH - Iqraam Rayners had Maroons' best chances against Usuthu, flashing a shot just wide of the left post from range on 37 minutes before being denied by Veli Mothwa at close range in the 53rd minute and then seeing his curling effort saved on 78m minutes. The 28-year-old striker remains in the hunt for the Golden Boot as he trails topscorer Tshegofatso Mabasa (15) by just one goal.