Cape Town Spurs will hope to get back to winning ways in their second 2023/24 DStv Premiership match up this week when they host Sekhukhune United at the Athlone Stadium on Wednesday night.
Kick-off is at 8:00pm (SA, GMT+2)
The Urban Warriors suffered defeat upon their return to top flight football and recorded a narrow 1-0 defeat against TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium this past Sunday.
Spurs looked on course to secure a vital point on away soil in their first league match of the season until an unfortunate 86th minute Cohen Stander own goal separated the two teams on the day.
Now though, Spurs will hope to make Athlone Stadium a fortress in the PSL this season, much like they did in the 22/23 Motsepe Foundation championship.
Speaking ahead of the tie, coach Shaun Bartlett lauded his side’s fighting spirit against the Rockets and hopes to get back to winning ways in Athlone this week.
“After a very good pre-season, playing some very competitive games in preparation for our first game against TS Galaxy, we looked forward to our first game back in the DStv Premiership,” Bartlett said.
“Unfortunately, the result didn’t go the way we wanted it to, conceding quite late in the game and obviously ending up with a loss.
“The positive for me was that we fought throughout the game, we gave a good account of ourselves and it’s something to build on going into our first home game at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday against Sekhukhune United.”
Much like that of Spurs, Babina Noko got their season off on the wrong foot following their 2-1 loss against reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the Princess Magogo Stadium last week Friday.
After giving away a penalty in the 10th minute of the match, Peter Shalulile gave the travelling outfit a much-deserved lead thereafter. Babina Noko’s woes continued soon after conceding the first goal, as Vusimusi Mncube received his marching orders in the 16th minute following a rash challenge on Aubrey Modiba.
Lucas Costa completed the scoreline by capping off a swift counter-attacking move in the 57th minute, as Downs bagged maximum points on the night.
Speaking after the game, Sekhukhune assistant coach MacDonald Makhubedu mentioned that his side showed character in fighting against a top side like Sundowns.
“It was a tough game, two good teams, from the first whistle you could see that it was going to be a very interesting game,” Makhubedu said.
“I think we did well, they also played well, they are a quality side as we are. I think the two teams played well and it’s the first game of the season.
“It (red card) affected our game and also it was a good information for us, now we can see that we have players with character, we have a fighting spirit but it was too early to get a red card.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Cape Town Spurs:
Morne Nel: As a tidy midfielder, Nel will be responsible for dictating play in the middle of the park. The versatile star is one of the most experienced players in the Urban Warriors fold and will be tasked to lead the midfield line against a well-drilled Sekhukhune outfit.
Sekhukhune United:
Elias Mokwana: With Mncube suspended for the tie, Mokwana is another option for the Sekhukhune technical team to consider as a creative spark in the final third. Mokwana was one of Babina Noko’s best players last season and will be eager to do the same this time around.
