Sekhukhune United coach Brandon Truter has said that he will assemble a strong starting XI when Babina Noko take on SuperSport United in their final 2022/23 DStv Premiership clash on Saturday afternoon.
Kick-off is at pm (SA, GMT+2)
After a poor start to the season, Sekhukhune now have the opportunity to finish in the top eight of the DStv Premiership. To go along with their turnaround, Babina Noko are also preparing to take on Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final later this month.
As it stands, Sekhukhune are seventh on the log, level on points with Stellenbosch FC, Golden Arrows and Swallows FC, who are all vying for a spot in the top eight.
Babina Noko head into the SuperSport tie on the back of a 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates, a game which was deemed to be somewhat of a curtain raiser to the Nedbank Cup final.
Speaking ahead of the tie, Truter mentioned that SuperSport will come as a stern test, given their formations and playing styles.
“A very important game for us this weekend, very difficult game as well,” Truter told the club’s media department.
“It’s a team that wants to get to [CAF] Champions League football, that makes it a cup final for them.
“It’s a good test for us, we also fighting for the top eight. So it will be an interesting and difficult game in terms of qualities, formations, playing styles and considering the first round result.
“The guys are ready, we have one or two injury concerns that might not be ready for this week.
“But we’ll put up a very capable team to in an effort to secure three points at home, that will be our aim this weekend.”
??NEXT MATCH ??
— Sekhukhune United F.C. (@SekhukhuneFc) May 17, 2023
Last game of the #DSTVPrem 2022/23 season.
Let's finish on a high ??
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???Saturday 20 May 2023
??New Peter Mokaba Stadium
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While Sekhukhune make a bid to finish in the top eight, SuperSport are looking to secure a CAF Champions League spot this weekend.
The Tshwane side are currently in third in the league, level on points with Pirates (51), who are in the CAF Champions League qualification position.
In ending the season on a positive note, SuperSport are on a six-match unbeaten streak in the DStv Premiership. As a timely morale booster, SSU bagged maximum points in their most recent game, claiming a narrow 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs last week.
With the Sekhukune game in mind, Gavin Hunt believes that the CAF Champions League is a good space for his young squad.
“We’ll be short of players with one or two suspensions again, so for me, I think the Champions League is a good space,” Hunt said.
“We can use this young crop of Diski players, use a few of them at times and build with them, better players, better human beings.
“It will make them tougher and let’s go in that space. I don’t know if we are the club to be there but I enjoy that space, I love it, I really do.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Sekhukhune United:
Chibuike Ohizu: The Nigerian striker has been a vital component to the Sekhukhune attacking department this season, particularly during the second half of the campaign. In facing an outfit with a watertight defence, Ohizu’s hard running could cause SuperSport problems around the penalty area.
Tshegofatso Mabasa: While Mabasa has been utilised as an impact player from the bench for much of the season, Mabasa could get the nod against Matsatsantsa. After being named in the club’s starting XI against Pirates, Truter could well look to the forward’s experience when facing SSU.
SuperSport United:
Bradley Grobler: With 10 league goals to his name, Grobler has yet again been SuperSport’s main man up front this season. As a crafty striker, Grobler provides a goal threat from any angle in the penalty box and will no doubt be looked upon to produce the goods this weekend.
Grant Margeman: Much like that of Grobler, Margeman has been a star turner for SuperSport this season. In cementing his place in midfield throughout the campaign, Margeman will have the task of keeping a fluid Sekhukhune midfield at an arm’s length.