Stars prepared for tough City battle

PLATINUM Stars are bracing for a tough battle when they host high-flying Cape Town City in an Absa Premiership clash at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rusternburg tomorrow evening.

Stars captain Vuyo Mere said the squad had been hard at work in preparation for their first clash of the year.

“We have to do introspection and see what we can do this time round‚” Mere‚ whose side are languishing in 14th spot with 15 points, said.

“We know what did not work for us in the first round.”

The 33-year-old defender knows it will not be an easy ride against City coach Benni McCarthy’s men.

“We can’t keep on making the same mistakes,” Mere said.

Platinum Stars beat limping league champions Bidvest Wits 1-0 in their last match before the Christmas break – and Mere is confident that the hosts can continue where they left off when they welcome the Capetonians to the North West.

“City lost some players that were influential in the first round‚” Mere said. “Hopefully, we’ll benefit from it.

“We have to work very hard and get the maximum points.

“The second round is the final hurdle to the league and we do not have much time.

“Every point is going to be important from now on.

“The first three to four games‚ we can’t get less than nine points.

“We have to keep up with our top eight objective.”

City sold key winger Aubrey Ngoma to Mamelodi Sundowns in this month’s transfer window. The full PSL fixture list is: Today: Bidvest Wits v Free State Stars, at the Bidvest Stadium, Johannesburg 8pm

Ajax Cape Town v Maritzburg United, at the Cape Town Stadium, 8pm Tomorrow: Polokwane City v Mamelodi Sundowns, at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, 3.30pm

SuperSport United v Kaizer Chiefs, at the Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit 6pm

Orlando Pirates v Baroka FC, at the Orlando Stadium, 8.15pm

Platinum Stars v Cape Town City FC, at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, 8.15pm Sunday: AmaZulu FC v Chippa United, at the King Zwelithini Stadium, Durban, 3.30pm Bloemfontein Celtic v Golden Arrows, at the Dr Molemela Stadium, Bloemfontein 3.30pm. – TimesLIVE