After much success in the Carling Knockout Cup recently, Stellenbosch FC and Richards Bay FC will return to DStv Premiership action this week, with a meeting at the Danie Craven Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Kick-off is at 7:30pm (SA, GMT+2)
Both Stellies and Richards Bay advanced to the Carling Knockout Cup semifinals last week and will now hope to emulate their cup form in their upcoming league encounter.
Stellenbosch recorded a 2-0 win against Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium last Friday, as goals by Iqraam Rayners and Devon Titus were enough for the Winelands side to book their spot in the semifinals of the tournament.
While Stellies are doing well in Cup competition, Steve Barker’s side only managed to record one win in their last five league matches, while suffering three defeats during this period.
Speaking on their recent win in the Carling Knockout Cup, Barker is hoping his side does well in the tournament as the Western Cape outfit currently occupy 12th spot on the DStv Premiership table.
“I think we must learn from our two previous semifinals, you know one went to penalties and one went on away goal,” Barker said.
“So having reached the semifinal three times in this calendar year you can only keep knocking on the door and you keep knocking on the door and the door will eventually open.
“So we are knocking on the door and we are knocking very loud so you know, let’s see what the draw holds for us Monday. But yeah third time this year hopefully it will be our time.”
Here's all the ticket and fixture information you'll need ahead of tomorrow night's #DStvPrem clash against Richards Bay ℹ️
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) November 6, 2023
The Natal Rich Boyz go into their next clash on the back of a dramatic 5-4 penalty win over Orlando Pirates in their Carling Knockout Cup quarterfinal clash.
Despite their positive showings in the Carling KO, Richards Bay are on a run of two consecutive losses in the DStv Premiership.
In their last five league matches, Richards Bay only managed to bag one victory, while suffering three losses and one draw during this period.
Richards Bay coach Kaitano Tembo is hoping his side can transfer their Cup form over to the DStv Premiership, where he feels they have been dominating without yielding results.
“I just wish we can take this mentality and attitude into our league matches because we have shown what we can do. Playing against a team like Pirates and going for 120 minutes, for me credit goes to players,” Tembo said.
“For me I don’t think its that way, even if our league matches I’ve seen us play better than this and still lose matches, where we dominate games but we still lose matches, we don’t score goals.
“But today I think Pirates were a better team to be fair, they played well, but we denied them clear-cut opportunities.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Richards Bay FC:
Abel Mabaso: The versatile star has been a regular for Richards Bay this season and played in a crucial midfield role during their victory over Pirates. While Stellenbosch are threatening in transition situations, Mabaso will be a crucial component in breaking up play in the middle of the park.
Stellenbosch FC:
Iqraam Rayners: As Stellies’ point of reference in attack, Rayners will no doubt be asked to produce the goods yet again this week. Rayners’s mobility and elusive traits could cause problems in the final third, especially of Richards Bay decide to sit on the edge of their area.