In what is billing up to be an exciting fixture in the latest round of DStv Premiership action, Sekhukhune United will host Cape Town City at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday evening, with both teams looking to continue their winning form.
Kick-off is at 5:30pm (SA, GMT+2)
After two consecutive league defeats against Mamelodi Sundowns and Marumo Gallants, Sekhukhune United returned to winning ways after their 2-0 victory against Richards Bay last week.
While Babina Noko dangled in and around the relegation zone for much of the 2022/23 campaign, coach Brandon Truter’s side currently occupy sixth spot after 20 games played.
Sekhukhune and City last met at the DHL Stadium in September last year, as the two sides played out to a 0-0 stalemate. Now as the home side, Babina Noko are on a run of three consecutive wins in their own patch.
Speaking after their victory against Natal Rich Boys, Truter lamented his side’s dip in concentration and, at the same time, praised his side for correcting their mistakes.
“We lost our shape, we lost our structure and that’s how they got back,” Truter said.
“Only when we got back and sorted a few things at halftime, we managed to take control and we got the goals that mattered.
“So well done, even though it should have been more, Sammy Seabi going though, Thami (Thamsanqa Masia) going through, but I’m just grateful for the three points and the massive effort the guys put in.”
Similarly to that of Sekhukhune, City amended a run of two consecutive defeats against Stellenbosch and SuperSport United by securing a 2-0 win against Swallows FC in their most recent league game.
Regarding their overall form, City recorded three wins, two losses and the single stalemate in their last six DStv Premiership matches.
Following an inconsistent run of results, the Mother City outfit are now in eighth spot on the table, just one behind their upcoming counterparts.
As the travelling outfit, City are winless in their last six games on the road, picking up four losses during this time.
Reflecting on their win against the Dube Birds, Tinkler mentioned that tactics flew out the window and that getting the right result mattered most come the end of the 90 minutes.
“We were talking beforehand about how many box entries we get and today we scored two absolutely fantastic goals,” Tinkler said.
“The result was more important, if I had to give my analysis, the three points are what mattered.
“The performance itself wasn’t brilliant and I think too many coaches, we sit and talk about tactics, pressure 'blah blah blah', ‘ get in the spaces’, today it was not about that.
“It was purely about getting the result, getting over the line and now going with a positive frame of mind into the next games.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH: SEKHUKHUNE UNITED :
Chibuike Ohizu: In getting his name on the scoresheet against Richards Bay, Ohizu has been in fine form for Sekhukhune in the second half of the season. The hard-running forward will most likely be the point of reference in attack going into the City tie and will look to cause problems in and around the opposition area.
Gavin Mashikinya: With the Citizens known for playing a proactive brand of passing football, Mashikinya will be tasked to disrupt the City midfield movements. While Babina Noko settled in a distinct style of play under Truter, Mashikinya has been one of the most important midfield components to the club in recent months.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: CAPE TOWN CITY
Taariq Fielies: Proving that he could influence his side in both ends of the pitch, Fielies now heads into the Sekhukhune tie with a massive boost in confidence. From a technical viewpoint, Fielies's ball-playing abilities will be crucial against an improving Sekhukhune front line, who enjoy pushing high up the pitch.
Darwin Gonzalez: With five league goals to his name so far, Gonzalez is currently the club’s top scorer in the DStv Premiership. The South American is most dangerous when attacking from wide areas, however, the 27-year-old often showcased his vision from deeper positions in midfield.