Goalkeeper Manuel Sapunga has outlined Polokwane City FC’s mission against Kaizer Chiefs, as the battle for a place in the top eight reaches its boiling point.
Kaizer Chiefs and Polokwane City are scheduled to lock horns on Saturday at the FNB Stadium. And according to the Equatorial Guinea goalminder, the Polokwane-based team already achieved their season’s target.
However, they are also relishing a possible top-eight finish in the DStv Premiership. Kaizer Chiefs are battling tooth and nail for a top-eight finish, after what has been an indifferent campaign.
As it stands both teams are tied on 35 points, but AmaKhosi lead on goal difference. Chiefs occupy the eighth position on the log standings while the Phuti Mohafe-led outfit is breathing on the neck in the ninth position.
SAPUNGA REVEALS POLOKWANE CITY FC’S REVENGE MISSION AGAINST CHIEFS
And Sapunga who has been instrumental in Polokwane City FC’s campaign says they are plotting a revenge mission against The Glamour Boys.
The 32-year-old said a top-eight finish will be regarded as a ‘bonus’ after they managed to avoid relegation. But, beating the troubled Chiefs is a must.
Polokwane City FC lost 1-0 in the first meeting played in their backyard, Peter Mokaba Stadium. Pule Mmodi scored the priceless goal for Chiefs in a match that was played on 9 December 2023.
“Obviously when you play against a big team, the way you prepare is different. As you know we have already achieved what we wanted for the season.
“Going into the top eight will be a bonus for us. We will do our best to win the game and be in the top eight. And we can’t say we have an advantage over Chiefs, in the first game they beat us 1-0.
“We are going to win this one, it’s a revenge mission. So we can’t lose to Chiefs two times in the season. We need to win this match,” Sapunga told FARPost.
SAPUNGA’S REVEALS HIS 2023/24 SEASON DISAPPOINTMENT
However, Sapunga is disappointed by how he has fared in terms of clean sheets. In 19 matches, the steady shot-stopper has kept 10 clean sheets.
“I’m happy for myself but not too happy because I told myself that I must get 15 clean sheets this season.
“For the first five games of the season, my work permit was not out and in the other games, my ankle was painful after coming back from a match against Royal AM.
“I was expecting 15 clean sheets in 30 games if I had a chance to play all. But now I played 19 games and I have 10 clean sheets,” he added.
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