Stellenbosch FC’s drive to cement a top-three finish on the year-end Premiership standings is in overdrive, as the Maroons are on a four-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
On Tuesday evening, Stellenbosch secured a 2-1 Premiership victory over Magesi FC at the Danie Craven Stadium in the Winelands.
On Friday, they will return to their headquarters to host Polokwane City (7.30pm kick-off), and will look for maximum points to improve their fifth-place log position (27 points in 17 games).
Polokwane have been battling lately, and are winless in their last four league outings. They managed a miserly two points from as many draws during this spell, but are still three points clear of Stellenbosch in fourth place, with 30 points after 19 games.
Coach Phuti Mohafe will be hamstrung in his efforts to help the side return to winning ways because several key players like Thabang Matuludi, Tlou Nkwe, Raymond Daniels and Cole Alexander are all on the injury list.
Bafana Bafana capped Matuludi, the highly rated right back, is nursing a long-term injury.
Mohafe’s other major concern is that the club’s most valuable player, star winger Oswin Appollis, has been hopelessly ineffective this season.
The out-of-form Bafana Bafana star has been constantly linked with a move away from the club amid interest from PSL rivals, and this has affected his performance.
During recent transfer windows, Appollis was linked with Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, while Polokwane has placed a R20 million price tag on their star.
Mohafe said the Rise and Shine technical staff are working on a plan to have Appollis fired up again after the goals dried up.
“Opposition teams are double-marking him. We came up with another plan for him to be the top player again,” said Mohafe.
“Everyone is worried when he’s not producing, and even me as the coach, when the results are not coming, I become worried.
“I think he’s more worried than me because if he doesn’t score, the team doesn’t win.”
Mohafe said the club want to maintain a top-eight slot.
“We will keep working hard on the training ground to improve our goal-scoring chances. I think everyone has prepared well for the second round. We always know that the second round of the league is a difficult one,” said Mohafe.
“Everyone wants to win, some want to maintain their (log) position, others want to move away from relegation and others are fighting for the top eight.
“It’s just how you maintain your team. With us, in the last three matches, the results were not on our side. I can say the second round is tough.”
The teams have no suspension concerns going into the match, but Stellenbosch will still be without the injured duo of Athenkosi Mcaba and Bradley Mojela.
Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker is delighted with the form of striker Ashley Cupido, who struggled to make an impact since transferring from neighbours Cape Town Spurs.
Against Magesi, he produced a Player-of-the-Match performance with a goal and an assist. Barker said Cupido will become a lethal weapon in the attack.
“It is nice for Ashley to get on the score sheet again. I thought he had two (goals), but it seems like one was an own goal. It’s good that he is on the score-sheet, considering Bradley (Mojela)’s out for the season,” said Barker.
“He is a proven goal-scorer. It was just a matter of time, and we will continue believing in him and giving him confidence.
“Hopefully with this sort of run that he’s having, he can maintain that for us till the end of the season.”