Stellies fighting to cement Champions League spot

AS THE battle for a top-two finish remains hotly contested, Stellenbosch FC are in pole position for the final CAF Champions League berth.

Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United are the other two teams challenging Stellenbosch, who could put some daylight between their rivals by defeating Polokwane City at the Danie Craven Stadium today (8pm).

The Premiership has entered the final five weeks of the season and as matches are completed, the likely final positions for teams become clearer.

Stellenbosch’s enterprising Maroons extended their unbeaten run in the Premiership to an impressive 16 matches with a 2-1 win over TS Galaxy in Mbombela last Sunday to stay three points clear of Pirates.

Polokwane’s Rise And Shine are two points outside the top eight in 11th position after a 2-2 draw with Cape Town City left them without a win in their last four games.

Stellenbosch right winger Devin Titus has been a revelation this season and he’ll spearhead his team’s attack, although Polokwane will regard striker Iqraam Rayners as the obvious dangerman for the Winelands side.

New Zealand-born midfielder Andre de Jong and Thabo Moloisane have emerged as big influences on the Stellies team and have become increasingly impressive.

However, the goals and assists of Titus have been most eye-catching this season, as the wing has netted nine times, including six of them in the league. He has been credited with three assists to take his goals contribution tally for the campaign to 12 in 26 games.

With continuity on their side, Stellenbosch are now a well-oiled machine and coach Steve Barker has identified who his core group of players are.

Over the next weeks, the biggest challenge will be holding onto these players, who have now become transfer targets in the PSL.

Barker and his troops have now laid a solid foundation to go one step further this season and finish behind Mamelodi Sundowns on the log at the end of the season.

Barker has challenged his side to carry their winning momentum into this match, although he has noticed fatigue setting in of late.

“It’s just about managing the situation well with a little bit of rotations when required,” said Barker as he urged his youthful side to put in another shift that will consolidate their second place on the log.

Polokwane City coach Phuti Mohafe has his young Bafana Bafana player Oswin Appollis to bank on. After an indifferent spell a few weeks ago Appollis has been making an impact in the last two games.

Mohafe says he feels that Appollis doesn’t offer enough defensively, but the youngster is proving hard to leave out. Mohafe also has veteran striker Ndumiso Mabena to call on. He has had patchy form but has been at the forefront of some of the team’s best performances this season.