Milford out to end Stellies' cup-double dream

Milford FC will be hoping to stun cup-double-chasing Stellenbosch FC in Friday's Nedbank Cup last 16 match at the Princess Magogo Stadium.

Kick-off is at 7:00 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

The Stallions caused a major upset when they eliminated the most successful club in the history of the Nedbank Cup, Kaizer Chiefs, in the last 32, as the Motsepe Foundation Championship side emerged as 5-4 winners on penalties after a 0-0 draw on 25 February.

However, Milford are winless since overcoming Chiefs, having recorded back-to-back defeats to Hungry Lions and JDR Stars in the league, which worsened the KwaZulu-Natal outfit's relegation worries.

Meanwhile, Stellenbosch avoided an upset in the last 32 as the Western Cape outfit defeated Motsepe Foundation Championship club Pretoria Callies 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw on 23 February.

Stellies have since extended their unbeaten run to five matches across all competitions, as the reigning Carling Knockout champions recorded a win over Cape Town City and two draws against Chippa United and Cape Town Spurs in the DStv Premiership.

TEAM NEWS

Neither of the two teams have any suspensions coming into this cup match, but Stellenbosch will be without Darrel Matsheke, who was released by the club earlier this week.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Milford FC chairman and coach Xanti Pupuma

“They [Stellenbosch] are now aware of us and what we can do,” Pupuma said.

“The only positive thing from the draw is that it is our home game. Otherwise, Stellenbosch is going to be a very difficult team to play.

"But I will sit down with my team to figure out how we are going to deal with them.”

Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker

“It’s always exciting and the Nedbank Cup is a massive trophy to play for. It’s the cup of dreams, and it’s nice to see teams like Milford FC reach this stage of the tournament after a giant-killing act in the last round," Barker said.

“I’m well aware of these type of matches and we experienced it against Pretoria Callies already this season, in a tough match that could have gone either way.

"So it’s important that we’re not complacent and don’t underestimate the opposition because if we do, it will be at our own peril.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Thobela Sikhakhane, Milford: The 29-year-old attacker has scored twice in his last three league matches and could be the player to propel the Stallions to a victory over Stellenbosch.

Iqraam Rayners, Stellenbosch: The experienced forward will be brimming with confidence after ending his three-match goal drought against Spurs and he will be confident of scoring against Milford.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

N/A – This will be the first meeting between Milford FC and Stellenbosch FC.