Sekhukhune eye Cape Town City scalp in all-PSL affair

Sekhukhune United will lock horns with their Betway Premiership rivals Cape Town City in Monday's Nedbank Cup last-32 match at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Kick-off is at 7:00 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

Babina Noko succumbed to a 1-0 away defeat to Kaizer Chiefs on 19 January and their five-match unbeaten run in the Betway Premiership came to an end, having registered four victories and one draw.

Sekhukhune came close to winning their first major trophy when they reached the 2023 Nedbank Cup final, where they lost to Orlando Pirates, and they will be hoping to enjoy another cup run in this competition and win it this season.

Meanwhile, City bounced back to winning ways when they claimed a 2-1 win over Richards Bay at home on 17 January and prior to that, the Citizens' two-match unbeaten run in the Betway Premiership had come to an end.

The Citizens possess cup pedigree, having won the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout (Carling Knockout), but their best performance in the Nedbank Cup came in 2018 and 2019 when they reached the quarterfinals.

TEAM NEWS

Both Sekhukhune United and Cape Town City have suspension issues coming into this encounter, as the Citizens will be without Amadou Soukouna, who is suspended for one match.

Babina Noko, on the other hand, will be without Trésor Tshibwabwa Yamba Yamba due to a one-match suspension, while Vuyo Letlapa will also be absent after being sent off against Kaizer Chiefs.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Sekhukhune United coach Lehlohonolo Seema

“Coming to Cape Town City, it’s a very difficult one since one of the experienced coaches that they’ve got arrived," Seema said.

"They’ve been getting good results. “We are really up for it, and let’s see on Monday what will happen.”

Cape Town City midfielder Fortune Makaringe

“We've got a thrilling fixture. It's a fixture that we are familiar with. We know we must go to the next round and take it from there," Makaringe said.

"But the hunger to win cups is there, so we see the Nedbank Cup as another chance for us to try to achieve something."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Andy Boyeli, Sekhukhune United: The DR Congolese forward, who is arguably the most in-form striker in the country at the moment, will be confident of propelling Babina Noko to the Nedbank Cup round of 16, having scored four goals in his last three matches.

Darwin Gonzalez, Cape Town City: The Venezuelan attacker, who has recovered from his recent injury, will carry the Citizens' hopes of advancing to the round of 16, having scored winning goals against Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates this month.

PREVIOUS CUP MEETINGS

Season Cup Result Scorers

2024/25 MTN8, qfinal Sekhukhune 0-1 City Gonzalez

CUP RECORD

P W D L GF GA

Sekhukhune 1 0 0 1 0 1

City 1 1 0 0 1 0

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2021-22 Sekhukhune 1-0 City Ohizu

2021-22 City 2-1 Sekhukhune Martin, Mayo; Maart

2022-23 City 0-0 Sekhukhune

2022-23 Sekhukhune 0-1 City Mani

2023-24 City 0-1 Sekhukhune Ohizu

2023-24 Sekhukhune 2-2 City Mntambo 2; Ahshene, Sereets

2024-25 Sekhukhune 1-0 City Makgalwa (pen)

OVERALL RECORD (all competitions)

P W D L GF GA

Sekhukhune 8 3 2 3 6 6

City 8 3 2 3 6 6