Sekhukhune United defender Daniel Cardoso has revealed how they plan to stop Stellenbosch FC’s key players, such as Iqraam Rayners and Junior Mendieta on Sunday in a Nedbank Cup semi-final clash.
The two teams will lock horns for the third time this season at Danie Craven Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled at 6pm.
The other previous meetings in the DStv Premiership ended 1-1 then Babina Noko won the return leg 1-0 in January.
Iqraam Rayners has been on top form since returning to the Cape Windlands side in January. He has scored 15 goals in 11 matches in all competitions.
Junior Mendieta on the other hand has found the back of the net nine times from 25 appearances.
Both teams head into the encounter aiming to get back to winning ways. Stellenbosch were held to a 0-0 draw by SuperSport United on Tuesday whilst Sekhukhune drew 1-1 against TS Galaxy on Wednesday.
HOW SEKHUKHUNE PLAN TO DEAL WITH STELLIES’ ATTACK
“They [Stellenbosch] are scoring goals from transitions they have been great. [Iqraam] Rayners has been one of their outstanding performers since he’s back and [Junior] Mendieta has been outstanding,” said Cardoso.
“They are fewer of the quicker teams, play in transitions with marked space while at the back. We got good distances between each other as a team, so going there we not going for a draw, there has to be a winner on the day.
“Stellenbosch have been on a good form lately, they beat the champions [Mamelodi Sundowns]. We wary of spaces behind us as they have very good-quick youngsters.
“It’s going to be an open game, Stellenbosch throughout his season have played a lot in transition. We play a very similar game to what they do.
SEKHUKHUNE UNITED STRIKERS’ DEPTH
Despite Stellies scoring goals for fun in their recent matches [10 goals in three games], Cardoso believes they got quality in front to match them.
In the Nedbank Cup, the Polokwane side have been active in front of goal with 10 goals from three matches.
They got top strikers like Chibuike Ohizu, Vusimuzi Mncube, Victor Letsoalo and Tshegofatso Mabasa who can score goals.
“We got players upfront that are very explosive, we need to start finishing games. The difference is that they are scoring and we missing chances,” he added.
RELATED STORY: Brandon Truter makes bold claim about Sekhukhune’s progress
