Sekhukhune United will be concentrating on extending their lead on the Betway Premiership at the expense of AmaZulu, whom they host this evening, after their miserable failure to advance to the MTN8 final after their 3-1 (on aggregate) loss to Stellenbosch FC.
United are currently at the summit of the log table with nine points after winning all their first three league matches, and a good result this evening would cement their top-position pedigree.
Coach Eric Tinkler, however, is concerned about the jam-packed fixture they are anticipating ahead.
“The fixture congestion is a concern because it strains players’ mentality, as there is not much time in between for breathing.
“We are expected to play eight matches within a short space of eight weeks,” bemoaned Tinkler, who seems to have settled well at the Limpopo-based side.
Sekhukhune’s goal getters
Dinoko, as Sekhukhune are affectionately known, will rely on players like Siphesihle Mkhize, who scored the only goal in their league’s opening match away to Orlando Pirates on August 9, and Bradley Grobler, who guided them to a 1-0 victory at home against TS Galaxy on August 13.
Two more goal getters, Vusumuzi Mncube and Tshepo Mokoane, are also expected to play a crucial role against Usuthu.
Mncube and Mokoane orchestrated Orbit College’s downfall, with Mncube scoring a brace and Mokoane securing the final goal as Sekhukhune secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over the league’s novice on August 19.
Since Sekhukhune earned all six points the previous season, Usuthu have a score to settle against them.
This was after Sekhukhune emerged 2-0 away in Durban before registering another convincing victory, a 4-2 win at home.
Lying in eighth position with six points, AmaZulu started the season positively with two wins, a 1-0 win over Orbit College FC and another 1-0 victory against Marumo Gallants, but only to suffer a 2-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Zwane guns for three points
Their head coach, Arthur Zwane, has high praise for his defenders.
“The defence deserves recognition; they have maintained two clean sheets at home against Gallants and Orbit, and we aim to maintain this trend going forward,” Zwane stated on the club’s website.
“Our goal is to visit Polokwane and secure victory, as we are determined to win this game regardless of the circumstances.
“We will build the momentum and confidence from this game in terms of the result, but we still have a lot of work to do.”
The match will be played at Peter Mokaba Stadium at 7.30pm.
