Stellenbosch FC will play host to Moroka Swallows FC in a DStv Premiership match to be played at the Danie Craven Stadium on Tuesday. Kick-off is at 7.30pm CAT.
CURRENT FORM
Stellies stretched their winless run to three matches in the league when they drew 0-0 with a stubborn Lamontville Golden Arrows side away over the weekend.
Therefore, the Western Cape side is occupying the 11th spot on the DStv Premiership standings - three points behind third-placed SuperSport United.
Meanwhile, Swallows saw their two-match unbeaten run in the league come to an end when they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Richards Bay at home on Friday.
As a result, the Soweto giants find themselves placed eighth on the DStv Premiership standings - three points behind third-placed SuperSport.
TEAM NEWS
Stellenbosch will be without the services of Thabo Moloisane who is suspended, but Steve Barker's side will welcome back Devin Titus back from suspension.
Swallows, on the other hand, have no suspension concerns, but their key striker Tshegofatso Mabasa is one yellow card away from suspension.
WHAT WAS SAID?
Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker
“Once again, it was a solid performance [against Arrows] but there were just here-and-there one or two things we have to work on," Barker said.
"With the way we’re playing though, it cannot continue that we won’t win matches. We now have to get back to Cape Town where we have a short turnaround to Tuesday’s match against Swallows, who have also had some good recent results.
"So they’re also a team that are looking good. But, at home, against Swallows, we have to be the ones who take the initiative and ensure that we win the match.”
Moroka Swallows head coach Steve Komphela
"We have to acknowledge that it was a physical match and we did expect that anyway. You could imagine a team that had not won in a very long time, fighting for their lives," Komphela said.
"And at the back of the victories we had, I thought they [Richards Bay] wanted it more than we did. It showed that the game got physical at some point and they won more of the battles. I don't know the number of fouls that were committed on the day.
"But possibility if we go to the table it is likely to be more fouls on their side compared to us. They won their duels which is a lesson for us."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Stellenbosch
Ismael Toure: The Ivorian defender is in good form at the moment having scored against Orlando Pirates in an MTN8 clash before being named Man of the Match following the recent game against Arrows.
Fawaaz Basadien: The technically gifted player has proved to be a key player for Stellies in the final third having provided three assists this season and he could be key to a Stellies win over Swallows.
Moroka Swallows
Andile Jali: The experienced midfielder, who made his return from suspension against Richards Bay as a substitute, is expected to start against Stellenbpsch and he will be keen to dominate the midfield battle.
Tshegofatso Mabasa: Having started four league matches and scored three times for Swallows this season, the lethal centre forward will carry Amaswaiswai's hopes of securing a win in Stellenbosch.
