Stellies out to boost top-two bid with Chippa win

Stellenbosch FC will tussle it out with Chippa United in Friday night's DStv Premiership encounter at the Danie Craven Stadium.

Kick-off is at 7:30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

Stellies claimed a 4-3 win over second-tier club Pretoria Callies after a 1-1 draw in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 last week Friday. They snapped their two-match winless run including the game against the Carling Black All-Stars team.

Stellenbosch are placed fourth on the DStv Premiership standings - four points behind second-placed Cape Town City and three points above ninth-placed Polokwane City.

Meanwhile, Chippa emerged as 2-1 winners over third-tier club NC Professionals in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 on Sunday. The victory snapped the Chilli Boys' three-match winless run in the league.

The Eastern Cape-based outfit is placed 12th on the DStv Premiership standings - six points above the relegation zone and a win over Stellenbosch would see Chippa move further away from the relegation zone.

Friday night football awaits 🔥

🆚 Chippa United
🏆 DStv Premiership
📅 Friday, 1 March
🕢 19h30
🏟️ Danie Craven Stadium
📺 SuperSport PSL 202
🎟️ R50.00
🛒 Pick n Pay or WebTickets outlets pic.twitter.com/jyb77957JK
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) February 27, 2024

TEAM NEWS

Stellenbosch and Chippa have no suspension concerns coming into this match.

Chippa have welcomed back their first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali who represented Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ivory Coast.

He’s Back 😌🔥🇳🇬 @NwabaliBobo pic.twitter.com/jyOVRYO6YW
— Chippa United FC (@ChippaUnitedFC) February 27, 2024

WHAT WAS SAID?

Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker

“What I’m seeing about the team currently is that we are finding ways to win football matches. That’s important, even if you’re not at your best like against Callies where we weren’t clinical, to find ways to win," Barker said.

"Chippa United have a good team so we'll have to be at our best to get a good result, but we're looking forward to the match and to the crowd getting behind us.

"Chippa United have a good team so we'll have to be at our best to get a good result, but we're looking forward to the match and to the crowd getting behind us.

All you need to know ahead of tomorrow night's clash against the Chilli Boys ⬇️
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) February 29, 2024

Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali

“I am still Stanley. I want to work harder than before now. If I was putting in 100 per cent before, now I have to double that because a lot of people are looking up to me now," Nwabali said.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Devin Titus, Stellenbosch: The 23-year-old attacker has improved in front of goal having netted his fourth goal of the season against Callies. It was Titus's second goal in his last three competitive matches.

Bienvenu Eva Nga, Chippa: The bulky striker marked his second debut as a Chippa player with a goal against NC Professionals. Evan Nga will be confident of scoring again when he faces Stellies.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2019/20 Chippa 0-0 Stellenbosch

2019/20 Stellenbosch 1-1 Chippa Isaacs; Sekotlong

2020/21 Stellenbosch 2-0 Chippa Mendieta, Sinkala

2020/21 Chippa 1-0 Stellenbosch Lentjies

2021/22 Stellenbosch 2-1 Chippa Dimgba, Seabi (og); Seabi

2021/22 Chippa 1-0 Stellenbosch Seabi

2022/23 Stellenbosch 1-1 Chippa Mendieta (pen); Matrose

2022/23 Chippa 1-2 Stellenbosch Mathiane; Titus, Rayners

2023/24 Chippa 0-0 Stellenbosch