Stellies’ Moloisane, Jurgens confident they can stun Downs
Defenders count on team’s pedigree for cup upsets
27 August 2024 - 17:24
bySIHLE NDEBELE
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Thabo Moloisane, left, and Kyle Jurgens of Stellenbosch FC during the 2024 MTN8 Media Day at Sun Coast Hotel in Durban on August 26. Picture: BACKPAGEPIX
Stellenbosch defenders Thabo Moloisane and Kyle Jurgens are bullish about the prospect of upsetting Mamelodi Sundowns.
Stellenbosch and Sundowns will trade blows in the first leg of the MTN8 semifinals at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday (7pm).
Stellies are still high on confidence after thumping Swazi side Nsingizini Hotspurs 5-0 in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium at the weekend.
“We've been here [in Durban] for five days now, starting the CAF game with a very good result, a [confidence] boosting result as well going into the Sundowns game. We have tried by all means to sharpen up to make sure we get a favourable result,” Moloisane said.
“Playing Sundowns is never easy but we are a very competitive team. We are going to make sure we try to stamp our authority as well… all we want is to go to Pretoria and win this first leg.”
The 20-year-old Jurgens, who is poised to play regularly as a right-back this season after the departure of Deano van Rooyen, believes both teams have an equal chance to win.
“Personally, I’d take any game because I believe all the teams in the PSL are good… you don’t know what to expect on the day, so going into this week's semifinal against Sundowns, it's 50/50.
“Every team is as competitive as the other. One thing about us is we are always focused on our team,” Jurgens said.
As his last season’s partner in crime at the heart of defence Olivier Touré is currently out of the playing squad after submitting a transfer request, Moloisane has insisted that this was not a big deal for him.
Moloisane has heaped praise on Athenkosi Mcaba, who he has been partnering in central defence in recent games.
“I’ve always said that I want to be a team’s player first. It’s not about who I play with and it's not about who's there and who's not there.
“We have training sessions where I get to play with different partners, so not having Touré doesn’t change anything. Athi’s an exceptional player as well… a top partner and we get along well,” Moloisane said.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Stellies’ Moloisane, Jurgens confident they can stun Downs
Defenders count on team’s pedigree for cup upsets
Stellenbosch defenders Thabo Moloisane and Kyle Jurgens are bullish about the prospect of upsetting Mamelodi Sundowns.
Stellenbosch and Sundowns will trade blows in the first leg of the MTN8 semifinals at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday (7pm).
Stellies are still high on confidence after thumping Swazi side Nsingizini Hotspurs 5-0 in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium at the weekend.
“We've been here [in Durban] for five days now, starting the CAF game with a very good result, a [confidence] boosting result as well going into the Sundowns game. We have tried by all means to sharpen up to make sure we get a favourable result,” Moloisane said.
“Playing Sundowns is never easy but we are a very competitive team. We are going to make sure we try to stamp our authority as well… all we want is to go to Pretoria and win this first leg.”
The 20-year-old Jurgens, who is poised to play regularly as a right-back this season after the departure of Deano van Rooyen, believes both teams have an equal chance to win.
“Personally, I’d take any game because I believe all the teams in the PSL are good… you don’t know what to expect on the day, so going into this week's semifinal against Sundowns, it's 50/50.
“Every team is as competitive as the other. One thing about us is we are always focused on our team,” Jurgens said.
As his last season’s partner in crime at the heart of defence Olivier Touré is currently out of the playing squad after submitting a transfer request, Moloisane has insisted that this was not a big deal for him.
Moloisane has heaped praise on Athenkosi Mcaba, who he has been partnering in central defence in recent games.
“I’ve always said that I want to be a team’s player first. It’s not about who I play with and it's not about who's there and who's not there.
“We have training sessions where I get to play with different partners, so not having Touré doesn’t change anything. Athi’s an exceptional player as well… a top partner and we get along well,” Moloisane said.
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