Stellies look to land first blow against Sekhukhune

Stellenbosch FC will square off against Sekhukhune United in the first leg of the MTN8 semifinals, scheduled to be played at the Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 6pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

Stellies are winless in their last two matches after drawing 1-1 with Magesi FC in a midweek Betway Premiership match, having lost to Kaizer Chiefs in the same competition on 10 August.

Stellenbosch are hoping to reach the final of the MTN8 for the second year running and they will be determined to make use of their home ground advantage in the first-leg clash against Sekhukhune.

Meanwhile, Sekhukhune are unbeaten in their last three matches across all competitions, having secured a midweek 1-0 victory over TS Galaxy following their win over Orlando Pirates in the league.

Babina Noko will be making their first-ever appearance in the semifinals of the MTN8 and they know that grabbing the first-leg advantage on the road would put them in a good position to progress to the final.

TEAM NEWS

Siviwe Nkwali will be missing as the young defender completes his two-match suspension, after being sent off during the game against Kaizer Chiefs, but Stellenbosch are yet to report injuries in their camp.

Sekhukhune United, on the other hand, have no suspension concerns, but influential club captain Linda Mntambo had to be substituted during the match against Galaxy due to an injury.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker

“The league is our bread and butter, and we want to keep challenging at the top end and qualifying for African football,” Barker said.

“We played the game to win [against Magesi FC], and that was the main objective. We didn’t really have an eye on [the] Saturday [game against Sekhukhune United].

"First prize, especially after losing to [Kaizer] Chiefs, was to try to get three points.”

Sekhukhune United head coach Eric Tinkler

“They (Stellenbosch) are a very, very difficult team to play, especially at home," Tinkler said.

"They enjoy strong support, making their games at Danie Craven a different experience than their outings at Athlone or the DHL Stadium in Green Point.

“We know it's not going to be very easy. We are going to have to be at our best come Saturday.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Langelihle Phili, Stellenbosch FC: The 20-year-old winger has become Stellies' dangerman, having scored two goals in three matches this season, including the winning goal in the MTN8 quarterfinal clash against AmaZulu FC.

Bradley Grobler, Sekhukhune United: The proven goalscorer netted the winning goal against Galaxy in midweek to take his tally to three goals in three matches this season, which makes him the Babina Noko player to watch out for.