WeeklySA_AdminWe believe:Tuks captain confident of his team bouncing back to the elite league
By Masoja Cele
Attention would inevitable turn to the mouth-watering Premier Soccer League Play-Off Tournament. On Sunday, Cape Town All Stars entertained fellow GladAfrica Championship side University of Pretoria in the first play-off match of the 2021/22 at Athlone Stadium scheduled for 15:00 kick-off.
Swallows FC, relegated from the DStv Premieship last Sunday after finishing 15th on the log, will also participate in the mini-tourney to determine the second team to accompany Richards Bay FC to the elite league. The Rich Boyz won automatic promotion to the top league after winning the GladAfrica tier a fourth night back.
Cape Town All Stars journey to the play-offs was not easy sailing. Early in the season the league, Igugu lekapa were languishing in the middle of the log. It was towards the end of the race that they finished strongly. Weekly SA Mirror spoke to the Capetonian captain Micheal Morton who had this to say about their clash against Tuks.
‘’For any GladAfrica team the plan is to play in the elite league, we no different. Play-offs are very difficult because all the three teams are keen for promotion. We have been chasing the promotion for too long. In earnest, we didn’t lose many games however, we played too many draws. We know Tukkies are not an easy side play. In the first round they beat us 2-0 and drew 1 all in the second stanza at home. You’ll recall that they have been always hovering between first or second position. They are a tricky team but, we will give it all and hope we beat them’’ revealed Morton. Igugu lekapa will pin their hopes on the experience of veteran campaigner Eleazar Rodgers, the evergreen Ndiviwe Mdabuka, the creative Zaphaniah Mbokoma and midfield anchor Brooklyn Poggenpoel. Should the quartede hit the right key note, then AmaTuks will have their hands full on Sunday.
However, University of Pretoria are no pushovers. Though, they dropped valuable points towards the end of the season. The Tshwane outfit still nurse the hope of a promotion to the Premier League. Tukkies coach Tlisane Motaung trust that his team will rise up to the occasion and snatch the match against Igugu lekapa. ‘’With positive thinking and faithful hope we can win the match. However, we know that All Stars will not make it easy for us. They are a tough side to crack more especially in their backyard. Like always, my boys work as a collective. I don’t want to single out any player but, I will rather talk about team work. I have one casual in the team, Luvuyo Phewa. He got injured in our drawn match against Cape Town Spures. Definitely, Phewa won’t be available on Sunday. Nevertheless, those selected on the day will go out there and grind the much expected results’’ noted Motaung. Though Tukkies will be minus the enterprising Phewa, they still boast a formidable duo of former Mamelodi Sundowns star Samuel Julies and free scoring Thabang Sibanyoni. At the back the reliable Keegan Allan and Lulama Maqoko should be ready to face the marauding All Stars strike force. This duel has all the hallmarks of a cup final.
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