Kaizer Chiefs are set for another Premier Soccer League assignment on Friday when they play Stellenbosch at the Athlone Stadium.
Stellies have been having a relatively good campaign as opposed to the Soweto giants who have been under pressure to deliver under coach Nassreddine Nabi.
Recent Form and Head-to-Head Record
Stellenbosch have had a relatively good season; they recently sealed their place in the Caf Confederation Cup quarter-final. Steve Barker's team is currently seventh on the table with three matches at hand.
If they win those three games, they might go third on the table depending on the outcome of the teams above them.
The Glamour Boys' only good news this year, at least for their fans, is getting a ticket to the Nedbank Cup's Round of 16.
In the league, they have been blowing hot and cold; last weekend they fell by a solitary goal against Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby before a 2-2 draw with AmaZulu in their latest outing.
In the head-to-head record, Chiefs have won the last four meetings – including the latest meeting that ended 2-1, while Stellies have a single victory.
What They Said
Coach Nasreddine Nabi is happy to see his new players doing well, hoping they can have a major impact on Friday.
“We felt the new signings were all good. Tashreeq [Morris] and [Glody] Lilepo were involved in the two goals we scored. With Thabo Cele, we believe he's a good player.
“It is only that they have done maybe three or four trainings. With matches every two, three days, we haven't really time to work on specifics on how they play and how to get to understand and be understood by their partners.
“We believe when we have a game every weekend and the whole week to train, we're going to have more time to work on the patterns and understanding of the players.”
Coach Barker is hoping to cause another upset for Chiefs, “Preparations are going well and playing against Kaizer Chiefs is always a special occasion. It’s a great opportunity for us to get maximum points and get ourselves up the log table to where we want to be.
“It’s a massively important game. We played them away from home recently and unfortunately, we didn’t get the result we wanted, but it’s our home game now and our responsibility to [right that wrong].
“They are a team that are close to us on the log table so getting maximum points against them would put us in a really strong position with a couple of games in hand.”
Team News & Starting XI
Stellenbosch are set to miss the suspended Fawaaz Basadien who was a target for the Glamour Boys in the local winter transfer window.
Chiefs are set to welcome back Njabulo Blom from a one-match suspension alongside Ashley du Preez who was injured. However, George Matlou and Wandile Duba remain sidelined.
Stellenbosch Probable XI: Stephens, Mdaka, Khiba, Moloisane, Godswill, Toure, De Jong, Nduli, Butsaka, Titus, Phili
Kaizer Chiefs Probable XI: Bvuma, Miguel, Blom, Cross, Dortley, Cele, Mthethwa, Shabalala, Mmodi, Morris, Lilepo
Where to Watch
For all those who can't make it to the stadium, SuperSport Premier Soccer League Channel 202 will be broadcasting the game live from 19.30h SAT.
