Sekhukhune United and Stellenbosch FC have an excellent chance to secure a CAF berth for next season when they clash on Sunday at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Stellenbosch are in fourth place on the log with 32 points after 20 games. Their away form is particularly impressive, with five wins, three draws, and just one loss, highlighting their ability to perform on the road.
Sekhukhune, currently in third place, are enjoying a highly competitive season. They have surprised with their form, although they have occasionally been inconsistent. In their last five matches, they have secured three victories and now sit on 34 points after 21 games. Home advantage will be crucial in this encounter as they look to capitalise on fan support.
Stellenbosch will see familiar faces in the Sekhukhune dugout on Sunday. Sekhukhune’s new coach is Eric Tinkler, the former Cape Town City boss, and alongside him will be Marc van Heerden, the former Stellenbosch defender who was once the team’s dead-ball specialist.
This will be Tinkler’s first home game after making his debut in Bloemfontein during a midweek clash against Marumo Gallants. Thanks to Nigerian striker Chibuike Ohizu, Sekhukhune snatched a win with a stoppage-time goal — his second match-winning strike in a month.
None of the Sekhukhune players made Bafana Bafana’s squad for the upcoming qualifiers, despite star defensive midfielder Siphesihle Mkhize being named in the preliminary squad. However, he will be a key player in Sunday’s lineup.
Stellenbosch, on the other hand, will take confidence from having two defenders in the national squad: left-back Fawaaz Basadien and central defender Thabo Moloisane, who was previously capped for the Cosafa Cup squad. Basadien also featured in South Africa’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying wins over Uganda and South Sudan late last year.
Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker will need to devise a different strategy for the match, considering the tactical intelligence of Tinkler and Van Heerden.
Whoever emerges victorious on Sunday will have one foot in the CAF Confederation Cup for next season. However, it remains highly unlikely that Stellenbosch or Sekhukhune will overtake powerhouse clubs Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns in the top two Premiership spots by the end of the season in May.
