Local derby underway
The only two teams in the province campaigning in the country's second highest soccer division, the National First Division, Sivutsa Stars FC and Emalahleni based Witbank Spurs, will face each other for a spot in the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup.
These two home teams drew each other on Monday during the NFD’s
official qualification draw in Johannesburg.
Witbank Spurs will enjoy home
advantage, meaning that the game will be played at Emalahleni on a date still to
be confirmed by the Premier Soccer League.
Having reached the last 32 of this
competition last season, Spurs will be hoping for a return but they surely are
aware that it’s not going to be an easy ride since they face the very same team
that have proved to be too difficult to beat.
Having won their last encounter
at the KaBokweni Stadium, odds favour Stars who are desperately hoping to make a
second appearance since 2011.
“We don’t want to read much in our past
meetings with Spurs, because that will make us underestimate them and we can’t
afford to do that, especially when playing in their own backyard.
“We are
simply going back to the drawing board to devise a new plan altogether and
thoroughly prepare for this clash,” said Charles Nkosi, the team’s PRO.
But
before the Nedbank Cup clash, Stars have a number of challenging league
encounters, including against FC Cape Town on Saturday at the KaBokweni Stadium.
“We approach each game as it comes and plan around that particular game. For
now our task at hand is to fight for maximum points against FC Cape Town on
Saturday.
“I just hope that our supporters will come in numbers to help us
win this clash,” he went on.
Stars are coming from back-to-back tough games,
having faced United in Rustenburg last Saturday, where they played to a 3-all
draw and yesterday against Milano United at the KaBokweni Stadium.
