The University of Pretoria turn their attention to Cape Town All Stars in the race for PSL Promotion when they host the Mother City at the Tuks Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Kick off is at 3pm CAT
AmaTuks currently occupy top spot on the PSL Promotion table, while CT All Stars go into the fixture with no wins in two matches played.
The mini-tournament is now heading into the return fixture phase with Tuks looking to record another win over coach Allan Freese’s side. CT All Stars hosted AmaTuks at the Athlone Stadium on May 29 in the first PSL Promotion fixture, with the away side recording a 3-1 victory.
CT All Stars then faced Swallows at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on June 1, with the Dube Birds claiming maximum points in a 2-1 win in a tie that saw coach Dylan Kerr's charges complete a dramatic comeback.
As the playoffs gathered steam, The University of Pretoria and Swallows played to a 0-0 draw at the Tuks Stadium on Saturday, June 4, resulting in the two sides being level on points (4) going into their next set of fixtures.
With regards to the PSL Promotion playoff table, Tuks now lead the way with a slight goal difference advantage. After their 0-0 draw against Swallows, coach Tlisane Motaung mentioned that promotion is now in their own hands.
“Playing against Swallows was going to be difficult. They want to stay in the Premiership and we want to get promoted,” Motaung said.
“It wasn’t going to be easy. One has to give credit to the boys. They stuck in and fought. A draw is a fair result,”
“The possibility is there, it’s in our hands. Our next match is All Stars at home, which will be a difficult match. As long as we keep on pushing, we’ll see what comes.
Also, speaking ahead of the mini-league, midfielder Micheal Morton said that Tuks and Swallows didn’t want to be in the playoffs whereas the Cape Town side fought for their position.
“This season, towards the end we started to believe we had a chance,” Morton said.
“We finished the season really strong. The way I look at it is, we're probably the only team who really wants to be in the playoffs.
“We were the team who were fighting to get there whereas Tuks thought they were going to win the league, they sought of stuck with the playoffs feeling pretty down about that.
“Swallows, same thing, you don’t really want to be going to the playoffs when you’re coming down from the PSL.”
In the head-to-head battle this season, it's Tuks who have the advantage. Besides their 3-1 win over CT All Stars in the playoffs, the two sides met in the 21/22 GladAfrica Championship campaign. The University of Pretoria claimed a 3-2 win in September 2021, while drawing the return fixture in April 2022.
University of Pretoria: PLAYERS TO WATCH
Samuel Julies: The midfielder was counted on for the entire 90 minutes in AmaTuks recent PSL promotion playoff tie against Swallows. Julies’ hard working attributes will be key, with a battle in midfield expected to occur against CT All Stars.
Thabang Sibanyoni: Sibanyoni’s abilities as a point of reference in attack could be vital in the tie and also, the outcome of the PSL promotion playoffs. With Tuks leading the log on goal difference as it stands, the striker will hope to add to his side’s tally in the crucial mini-tournament.
CT All Stars: PLAYERS TO WATCH
Justice Figuareido: The CT All Stars forward got his name on the scoresheet against the Dube Birds last week and will hope to do the same against AmaTuks. The Mother City side will need all the firepower available, with Figuareido receiving a slight morale booster with his effort against Swallows.
Micheal Morton: The 33-year-old has been a constant figure in the CT All Stars midfield this season. While grabbing an assist against Tuks in their opening PSL Promotion playoff fixture, Morton’s experience will also come in handy.