‘Motivation’ a key aspect in upcoming iKapa Derby

Kick-off is at 3pm (SA, GMT+2) 

Football fans in the Mother City will be divided this weekend, as the Citizens and Urban Warriors prepare for the first installment of the popular iKapa Derby.  

While City and Spurs have been sharing Athlone Stadium for home games this season, the Citizens will now return to the DHL Stadium after the pitch had been relayed.  

City head into the next game without a win in their last five league matches, which included an uncharacteristic four-match losing streak during this period. 

However, City recorded a 1-1 draw with TS Galaxy in their latest DStv Premiership encounter with the point taking them to 13th spot on the log.  

Speaking ahead of the game, coach Eric Tinkler mentioned that his assistant, Lebogag Manyama has been rallying his troops ahead of the derby.  

“Actually, the one who’s been drawing attention to this, has been Lebo,” Tinkler said. 

“Since I’ve roped him in, he’s the one who’s who’s making sure that the players are aware of the importance of us collecting the three points. 

“And then obviously, the Chairman has been a lot more involved this week. And making the players aware of how important this game is to the club, and to himself and his family.” 

#iKapaDerby loading: 🔳🔳🔳🔳⬜⬜

Two days to go 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/WerWcYBZtL

— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) September 28, 2023

ROCK-BOTTOM SPURS

Similarly to City, the Urban Warriors find themselves on a bad run of form upon their return to PSL football this season.  

Shaun Bartlett and company are on a six-match losing streak in the DStv Premiership and go into their next game on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Golden Arrows, which took place at the Athlone Stadium last week. 

As it stands, Spurs remain rock bottom on the league table, with Bartlett hoping to bag their first points this coming weekend.

Reflecting on the tie, the Urban Warriors coach mentioned that the players are self-motivated in playing against their cross-town rivals.  

“Its been a difficult start to our season in the DStv Premiership,” Bartlett said.

“As I indicated before, it's not something that we saw coming, hoping for or training for but that’s the reality of it at this moment in time going into this massive game against City. 

“Its our first Derby as Cape Town Spurs, which is an enormous privilege, but our players understand the magnitude of the situation. 

“This is the game where we don’t have to motivate the players as a technical team, the match itself will be the motivation, as predominantly our squad is from Cape Town.” 

PLAYERS TO WATCH: 

Cape Town City: 

Taahir Goedeman: With a midfield battle expected to break out, Goedeman will be a crucial component for Tinkler come Saturday afternoon. Goedeman has the ability to create goalscoring opportunities from midfield, a trait the opposition midfielders will have to monitor throughout the 90 minutes. 

Cape Town Spurs:  

Morne Nel: The industrious midfielder has been a key figure for Spurs in the last couple of seasons and will be tasked to disrupt City’s passing rhythms on a new pitch at the DHL Stadium. As a box-to-box midfielder, much of Spurs’ performance on the day will depend on Nel’s showings in the middle of the park.