Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs hope to continue their push for Silverware in the Nedbank Cup competition.
On Saturday, they are scheduled to play Stellenbosch in the quarter-final game at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
Stellies are hoping to go all the way after falling short in the MTN8 where they lost against Orlando Pirates in the final.
Team News and Head-to-Head Record
The Glamour Boys have had a tough ride in the ongoing campaign despite the signings made by the technical team.
They are currently out of the race for the Premier Soccer League after managing eight wins, as many losses, and four draws. In the last five games across all competitions, the Glamour have secured three wins and two losses.
Stellies are locked in the race for Caf competitions alongside rivals Orlando Pirates and Polokwane City. They are currently third on the table and in the last five outings across all tournaments, they have three wins and two draws.
In the head-to-head record, this will be the third time the two teams are meeting this season; the initial two were in the Premier Soccer League. The Glamour Boys have managed 2-1 and 1-0 wins respectively but this weekend's game is arguably the most important.
What They Said
“We’re playing against a big team that is still in the CAF Confederation Cup this season with an experienced technical staff. We believe that it will be a tough game and we don’t believe for one second that the last two positive results that we got against them are going to count in this one,” Coach Nasreddine Nabi told the media.
“Even those games were very tight and we’re expecting a tough game. We’ll be there to defend our chances and we’ll do everything possible to produce a good performance and go as far as we can in this Nedbank Cup.”
Stellies coach Steve Barker had a few concerns ahead of the game, “Number one, I have to make it clear, I am very disappointed we can’t play a quarter-final of the Nedbank Cup in front of our fans. It is not good for us as a team, and it’s not good for our fans, so it is disappointing,” he stated.
“Obviously, the first disappointment is not the first time, and it doesn’t seem like it’s gonna be the last time that there won’t be a stadium available for matches, so that’s disappointing. I believe the solution has to be found going forward, it’s just not conducive to continue not playing, even in your province and denying your fans that is a disappointment,” added the former Pretoria University coach.
“Secondly, the other disappointment for me may be the league not finding a way to accommodate the fixture on Sunday. I don’t know what they could’ve done more; I just feel like, should it have been on the other foot, it would’ve been different. I am disappointed that we’re not playing a fixture like that here.”
Team News and Starting XI
Neither team have a player suspended for this crucial Nedbank quarter-final fixture scheduled for Saturday.
As a matter of fact, the Glamour Boys might welcome back Tashreeq Morris who missed the win over Magesi FC owing to a knock. Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Wandile Duba might play a part in this game.
Stellenbosch Probable XI: Masuluke, Onyango, Basadien, Khiba, Godswill, Mcaba, Nduli, Barns, Jabaar, Cupido, Titus
Chiefs Probable XI: Bvuma, Miguel, Dove, Frosler, Msimango, Matlou, Shabalala, Cele, Lilepo, Du Preez, Mmodi
Where to Watch
The game will be live on SuperSport's Premier Soccer League channel 202 on Saturday from 18.00h.
