Wits welcome in-form Stars

The Clever Boys were held to a goalless draw by Egyptian giants Al Ahly in a CAF Champions League game in their last competitive game almost a fortnight ago.

They also recorded a goalless stalemate against Chippa United in their last domestic league encounter in East London three weeks ago.

This was the Wits’ first draw in their last five league games. They have recorded a draw, three wins and a defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns during their current run.

Wits are placed second on the league log with 38 points from 19 games. They are only a point behind log leaders Cape Town City, who have played 21 games.

Mogakolodi Ngele has regained his scoring form for Gavin Hunt’s side having netted twice in the Nedbank Cup recently. The forward will be out to inspire his side to victory on Saturday.
Moeneeb Josephs, the Wits goalkeeper, has urged his teammates to focus on mounting a serious challenge for the domestic league title following their Champions League exit.

“We need to go and get the league and it is hot up there. We have to look at the positives,” Josephs said.

“We have just started to get a team together that in the league can compete.

“We are not just a top eight team anymore we are not trying to survive relegation. We are a team that is fighting to win things.”

Meanwhile, Stars advanced to the next round of the CAF Confederation Cup after thrashing Ugandan side Vipers 3-1 in their last competitive game a fortnight ago.

Dikwena also overcame a stubborn Golden Arrows side 2-0 in their previous league encounter in Rustenburg three weeks ago.

Tintswalo Tshabalala fired Stars into the lead in the first-half, before Bonginkosi Ntuli sealed the home side’s victory in the dying minutes of the second-half.

This was Dikwena’s third consecutive victory in the league. Before enjoying their current winning run, they had lost to Sundowns at home.

Stars are placed eighth on the league table with 25 points from 20 matches. They are two points behind sixth-placed Polokwane City, who have played 21 games.

Ntuli, who has scored two goals in his last four competitive matches, is slowly regaining his scoring form. The centre-forward will be keen to score and help his side beat Wits.

Dikwena coach Cavin Johnson feels that their recent 2-1 friendly win over Botswana’s Township Rollers prepared them for their next league game as they look to maintain their good form.

“Rollers has a strong team and they always give us a tough time, so this was good preparation for our upcoming games,” Johnson said.

“I wanted to look at some of our players who are not normally in the starting line up,” he continued.

“Sometimes when the ball falls for you properly, you are able to score goals. Even last year we were playing well but the ball didn’t fall for us.

“It didn’t go in the back of the net. It’s falling for us now and we are putting it in the back of the net. We just hope that we continue with the same form.”

When Wits and Stars clashed in the first-round league game, the former won 1-0 thanks to Eleazar Rodgers’ goal in Rustenburg four months ago.