Stellenbosch FC are set to face Orlando Pirates in a crucial Betway Premiership clash at Athlone Stadium on Tuesday night without the services of two key players.
The Winelands-based side is fresh from a grueling encounter with Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals. Stellies suffered a controversial 3-1 defeat to Chiefs at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium this past Saturday.
The Steve Barker-coached team conceded the first goal in the first half from a penalty converted by Inacio Miguel. In the second half, Stellenbosch pulled one goal back through Andre De Jong. But as the match was looking to be headed to extra-time, Chiefs scored arguably one of the most talked about goals in the dying minutes of the match through Pule Mmodi.
The former Golden Arrows winger netted a loose ball from a corner-kick, but it was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper Sage Stephens. The goal was later reinstated by the referee, Sikhumbuzo Gaza, in what was a controversial decision.
A few minutes later, Mfundo Vilakazi scored a third goal to seal Chiefs’ spot in the semifinal, where they face the winner in a match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Sekhukhune United.
WHO ARE THE TWO PLAYERS MISSING FOR STELLENBOSCH AGAINST PIRATES?
With Stellenbosch shifting their focus to the league match against Pirates, they will be without two key players in defence, Sage Stephens and Ismael Toure.
The duo will serve a one-match suspension each after receiving their fourth yellow cards of the season against Amakhosi. Oscarine Masuluke is likely to step in between the sticks in the absence of Stephens, while Brian Onyango could replace Toure.
Meanwhile, Chiefs will also be without the assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef and goalkeeper Brandon Petersen in a league tie against Cape Town City FC on Wednesday. The former Bidvest Wits goalkeeper was given a red card while on the bench for dissent.
Other players that will miss the midweek games are Victor Letsoalo and Ndamulelo Maphangule, whereas SuperSport United head coach Gavin Hunt is also sidelined.
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