Stellies vow to respect the game, while Downs make admission

Stellenbosch FC will only have themselves to blame if they fail to clinch the DStv Diski Challenge league title on Saturday.

After 29 matches, the league title remains a two-horse race between Stellenbosch and Mamelodi Sundowns and this will be settled on Saturday at Tsakane Stadium.

Heading to the final match of the season, Stellenbosch occupy the top spot on the log with 66 points. They hold a three-point advantage as Sundowns occupy the second spot with 63 points from the same number of outings.

As things stand, the title is in Stellies hands to lose. The ambitious club needs a mere draw against Arrows to be crowned champions no matter what happens in the Sundowns match.

Sundowns will face Moroka Swallows in the first match of the day at 9:30, and Stellenbosch will lock horns with Golden Arrows at 11:30.

Stellies mentor Evangelos Vellios, who oversaw the team when they won the title two seasons ago, said they will have to respect the game.

“Football is a cruel game; we are just going to respect it. Give it the respect that it deserves by preparing well for the remaining match, make sure we do not get carried away,” stated Vellios.

Sundowns' only chance of winning the title on the final day is if they win against Swallows with four or more goals and Stellenbosch fails to get a draw or win against Arrows.

Sundowns’ assistant coach Phuphu Mohlaba admitted that it’s not in their hands at this stage, they are heading to the final match to perform.

“Our objective has always been to improve these players, get them prepared, stronger and ready for senior football. They have done well throughout the years, and we are happy about that,” explained Mohlaba.

“We have one more game, to perform well, to play with good quality and what happens at the end happens. The reality is that we are not in control, we have no control, the only thing we can control is our performance on the day.”

Sundowns last won the DStv Diski Challenge in the 2016-17 season.

Either side between Stellies and Sundowns will write their name in the history books as they will become a second team, joining Arrows to have won the Diski Challenge title twice.

Catch all of the action on DStv channels 202 and 404 from 09:30.