Stellenbosch FC would have identified striker Bradley Grobler as a major threat on Saturday night when they clash with hosts SuperSport United in the Betway Premiership at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.
Grobler scored the match-winner in SuperSport's most recent outings against Magesi FC and Richards Bay earlier this month, and he will be a marked man on Saturday. Stellenbosch cannot allow Grobler any room to move because he comes with the same predatory instincts of ace goal scorer Iqraam Rayners, who proved Stellenbosch's downfall in Cape Town last week.
SuperSport are out to make it three wins on the spin, and Grobler holds the key to victory. SuperSport coach Gavin Hunt has tightened the defence considerably, and after 11 Premiership matches, the team has seven clean sheets.
Saturday will mark Grobler's third outing since he returned from a lengthy lay-off because of injury. He is showing signs of returning to his best form and will boost the attacking options. The 36-year-old Grobler enjoys the responsibility of leading the attack.
“I have been playing football for a long time, and I know what one should do and sacrifice to have a long career," said Grobler.
“Football is something I love, and I know players looking up to me. What I can demonstrate to them is playing football and leaving a mark that will inspire someone to have a great career in football.”
While Grobler carries the can for SuperSport, Stellenbosch will have the hard-working New Zealander Andre de Jong leading their attack. He is not the most fleet-footed, but he reads the game well and allows him to take up positions that demand defenders keep tabs on him. He is a terrific off-the-ball player and SuperSport's defence will be under strict instructions to mark him closely.
For the first time in a long time this season, Stellenbosch had reasonable time to prepare for the match, and this could see the Winelands outfit in full flight at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.
Steve Barker, the Stellenbosch coach, partly prepared for the match by working on "execution issues and a bit of decision-making" before the squad flew out on Friday morning.
Before last week's narrow 1-0 loss against Sundowns, Stellenbosch went on a seven-match unbeaten streak that included four wins and three stalemates since September.
Stellenbosch are sitting in fourth position after their nine matches and SuperSport, with two games more, are in fifth place, also with 15 points.
On the back of a largely inconsistent start to the 2024/25 campaign, SuperSport managed to knit consecutive wins together for the first time this season during December. With coach Gavin Hunt at the helm, SuperSport remain a side destined to challenge for higher honours.