Stellies eye another vital victory

STELLENBOSCH FC will be looking to ease their way into the top eight with a win over Chippa United in their Premiership match at the Tuks Stadium today (6pm kick-off).

A seven-point haul from their last five matches has seen Stellenbosch move into ninth place on the standings.

This year the objective was to avoid relegation, but recent results have raised hopes of a season-ending Top 8 place instead.

Chippa are in 12th position and their immediate task is to steer clear of the relegation zone.

They have picked up five points from their previous five outings, and a victory today will help to settle the team in the run-in to final two matches of the season.

The match schedule has been hectic since play started in the bio bubble and teams have been battling with the workload.

Stellenbosch and Chippa were both in action last weekend but since then they have enjoyed a short break.

Both Stellenbosch and Chippa are coastalbased sides and it has been noticeable that teams who are not from Gauteng are battling with frequent action in the testing Highveld conditions.

There is also talk of life in the bio-bubble taking strain on the players and the massive living constraints in hotels has been taxing.

It would, therefore, seem likely that coaches will be paying as much attention to mental fortitude and match strategies.

Stellenbosch have appeared to be one of the best-conditioned sides since play resumed in the bio-bubble. This may well stand them in good stead especially in light of the remarks made by Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane who said: “Football in the bubble is about the survival of the fittest.”

Stellenbosch are sweating over the fitness of key midfielder Nathan Sinkala who retired with a groin strain in the first half of last weekend’s game against Kaizer Chiefs.

One player who caught the eye the biobubble of late is the 22-year-old Stellenbosch midfielder Leletu Skelem who is shaping up as one of the finds of the season. He has been moved into the striker’s role with great success. In the three previous games, he netted twice and registered one assist.

Chippa will no doubt have noted Skelem’s predatory skills in the goalmouth and will pay a heavy price if they allow him free rein in the firing line.