Stellenbosch FC are bracing themselves for a storm when they meet Orbit College in their last home Betway Premiership clash of the season at the Danie Craven Stadium on Friday night.
Gavin Hunt’s side are fighting for a place in the top eight, but for Orbit College, it’s a matter of survival.
The Rustenburg-based side have endured a tough initiation in the top flight after earning promotion via the national playoffs for the first time this season.
They face a tough task to avoid heading straight back to the playoffs, with Orbit currently sitting in 14th position on 24 points — just one point above the relegation zone — with two matches remaining.
Stellenbosch defender Wayde Jooste is therefore expecting a fierce challenge when the sides meet on Friday evening, with Orbit set to throw the kitchen sink at their hosts in a bid to take one step closer to safety.
“I feel like the preparations for this weekend’s game have gone very well, despite challenges with the rain and things like that, because we weren’t able to train for the first two days of the week,” Jooste said.
“But preparations have gone well. We know that our opponents will come out fighting because they’re fighting for their lives; they’re fighting for survival.”
Jooste, though, feels that with the support of the home fan base, the Maroons can push through to achieve their own goal of participating in the lucrative MTN8 next season.
“We still feel like we have a good shot to get into the top eight, and mathematically, it’s still possible.
“We just have to win this weekend’s game and the last game, but the focus is obviously on this game first,” the former Orlando Pirates stalwart said.
“So yeah, we just have to do what we do best. Hopefully, because we’ll be at home as well, things will go our way, the supporters can get behind us, and we can make them proud by getting a win in the last home game of the season.”
Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m.
