Wanderers aim to bury United at the graveyard
Published
The spotlight in football this weekend may be on Mali where South Africa play this year's African Cup of Nations hosts in the quarterfinal match on Sunday, but the build-up to the top of the table clash between African Wanderers and Park United in First Division Coastal Stream will have the full attention of local fans.
The two meet at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Sunday at 3pm.
The KwaMashu venue is often referred to as 'The Graveyard' by the home team's spokesman Nhlanhla Sithole, but Park coach Wendell Naidoo, who will be taking his team to Durban for the first time this season, does not believe in hoodoos.
"We aren't worried about how well Wanderers play at Princess Magogo because I know we can beat them on any given day, anywhere," said Naidoo.
"Last season poor refereeing and weather factors cost us promotion and we are not going to allow referees to destroy us."
The Port Elizabeth team have problems of their own, however. Midfielder Mzwandile Nkinqana is on suspension after being red-carded in their last game against Mother City while leading striker Noel Searle is nursing a hamstring strain and faces a late fitness test.
Sithole is confident of a win over United. "This is our chance to accelerate away from Park and we intend to take the three points from this game.
The only other game in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday features Tigers against Avendale Athletico at Harry Gwala Stadium, Pietermaritzburg.
Elsewhere on the same day, PE Technikon entertain Newtons at their campus ground while FC Fortune are hosts to Maritzburg City at Wynberg Camp Stadium.
On Saturday Zulu Royals are at home to Rainbow Stars at Princess Magogo, MotherCity are up against William Pescod at Elsbury Park and Basotho Tigers meet Saxon Rovers at Galeshewe Stadium. - Own Correspondent.