Can Stellies stay on a high after Cup victory?

Stellebosch FC's Iqraam Rayners evades challenge from Mxolisi Gumede of Highlands Park during the 2018 Nedbank Cup match. Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

Stellebosch FC's Iqraam Rayners evades challenge from Mxolisi Gumede of Highlands Park during the 2018 Nedbank Cup match. Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

Published Feb 17, 2018

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Stellenbosch FC have booked a Nedbank Cup date with Kaizer Chiefs.

Also through to the round of 16 taking place in the first week of April are Ubuntu Cape Town, who play AmaZulu.

Now wasn’t it FC Cape Town (now known as Ubuntu Cape Town) who stunned the Amakhosi 2-0 at the same stage in 2010?

Yes it was.

So why not a repeat feat from Stellenbosch?

The men from the Winelands do have it all to do away from home but know all the pressure will be on the Soweto giants.

Chiefs know what it’s like to be beaten by lower-league opposition in the Cup; Baroka FC, now a PSL team, once campaigned in the third-tier and got to mix it with the glamour club, handing them a defeat.

Ubuntu booked their place with an extra-time 3-2 victory over PSL outfit Polokwane City.

Back to the NFD, and the three Cape teams have much to play for – for different reasons.

Stellenbosch and All Stars are staking claims for a spot in the play-offs, while Ubuntu are in a battle to beat relegation.

Stellies are fourth on the 16-team standings headed by Highlands Park, All Stars are 10th and Ubuntu are last. Two teams face the chop.

All Stars entertained second-placed league rookies Tshakhuma Tsha Madzihandila of Limpopo at Athlone Stadium on Friday. Both sides are unbeaten this year. Stars won the first encounter and also knocked their opponents out of the Nedbank Cup qualifiers.

Stellies and Ubuntu lock horns at Parow Park on Sunday (3.30pm kickpoff).

Stellies, one of only three sides to have topped the table, should bag all three points and remain in contention for a place in the May play-offs. They won the corresponding fixture 2-1.

Ubuntu have been in the relegation zone for 80 percent of the season and at the bottom for three months.

That said, a win would see them move away from the danger zone.

They and five other teams are separated by only four points in that relegation squabble.

Highlands Park, who were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup by Stellies on Wednesday for their first defeat in 17 outings, travel to fourth-placed Jomo Cosmos.

The Lions of the North know that a positive result at the Vosloorus Stadium would keep them firmly on track to win automatic promotion to the PSL. But a tough ask for the Tembisa side as Cosmos are yet to lose at their new home venue.

Park, who enjoy an eight-point lead over the chasing pack, did notch up a 1-0 win in the first round.

The match will be shown live on Supersport 4.

Weekend Argus

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