Wounded Stellenbosch seek Kaizer Chiefs upset’ to ease relegation fears

Wounded Stellenbosch FC face another daunting assignment in their quest to revive a stuttering season when they make the long trip to renew their rivalry with Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiership at FNB Stadium on Tuesday (7.30pm kick-off).

The encounter will be the fourth meeting between the two sides this season, adding further intrigue to a fixture that has already delivered tightly contested matches.

For Stellies, it presents an immediate opportunity to respond after their Nedbank Cup last-16 elimination, where a narrow 1-0 defeat to Golden Arrows compounded a difficult spell of results. That disappointment followed their Caf Confederation Cup exit in the group stages, bringing an abrupt end to their continental ambitions.

With cup and continental campaigns now behind them, the Cape Winelands outfit can shift full focus to climbing the league standings. Their start to the Premiership season has been underwhelming, with 16 points collected from 16 matches.

They sit just two points above the relegation zone, although they do have a slight cushion having played two fewer games than some of the teams below them.

Encouragingly, Stellies have enjoyed relative success against Chiefs this season, winning two of their three previous encounters, including a surprise 2-1 cup victory a few weeks ago. That result underlined their ability to trouble Amakhosi, even during an inconsistent campaign.

Chiefs, meanwhile, head into the clash with the benefit of rest after nearly two weeks without competitive football. Their break followed a 2-1 defeat to Zamalek in continental competition, a result that ended their own ambitions beyond domestic borders. Whether the pause proves refreshing or disrupts rhythm remains to be seen.

Since taking charge earlier this season, coach Gavin Hunt has steadied the ship in the league, keeping his side unbeaten in that competition. However, preparations for Tuesday’s showdown have been hampered by injuries and suspension.

Defender Thabo Moloisane will be suspended for the match, further weakening a defence that has already conceded 19 goals this term. With Mosa Lebusa also sidelined, Hunt has been forced into reshuffling his backline, at times deploying players out of position to plug the gaps. Forward Wonderboy Makhubu will also miss out as he serves a suspension.

Striker Tshegofatso Mabasa made an immediate impact after joining on loan from Orlando Pirates, scoring on his debut, but he has since struggled for consistent involvement and remains unavailable.

Hunt admitted the growing injury list has made it difficult to build continuity.

“Mabasa and Lebusa are injured, and obviously we have a red card,” Hunt said.

“Those are the players we could have used. I’ve also had to play a left-back at centre-back.

“You can’t get a settled team. If you take the team that beat Chiefs a couple of weeks ago, we are still one or two players short, and at the moment we will need everyone for the match against Chiefs.”

With both teams seeking stability for different reasons, Tuesday’s clash could have significant implications at opposite ends of the table as the Premiership season intensifies.

* Obakeng Meletse is Independent Media’s multi-sport writer. For fresh video content, follow our YouTube channel The Clutch