Stellenbosch FC will begin the defence of their Carling Knockout Cup when they take on AmaZulu in the last 16 of the competition.
The men from the Cape Winelands won the inaugural edition of the competition last season when they beat TS Galaxy on penalties at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Steve Barker has crafted a a team who are consistently improving. having finished third last season and sixth the season before, whilst also making it to the final of this season’s MTN8 final on October 5 where they lost to Orlando Pirates.
Barker’s men have had the busiest schedule of any side in the South African top-flight, having played 11 matches already. This includes four MTN8 matches, three league games and four CAF Confederations Cup qualifiers in which they have successfully reached the group stage of the continental showpiece.
Meanwhile, AmaZulu will be hoping to bounce back from a torrid start to the season, having lost all three of their opening matches against Polokwane City, Kaizer Chiefs and Marumo Gallants respectively.
Usuthu have already sacked their former Spanish coach, Pablo Franco Martin and brought in Arthur Zwane and Vusimuzi Vilakazi as co-coaches.
The 44-year-old Spanish coach joined AmaZulu in June last year.
He led the club to 11th place on the league standings last term but has started this campaign with three straight losses.
They started with a 2-1 loss to Polokwane City before going down 3-1 to Kaizer Chiefs and Marumo Gallants 1-0 to sit rock bottom of the standings.
Usuthu co-head coach Arthur Zwane said in a press conference that the team understands the importance of winning the match against Stellies following their start to the season.
“We’re playing against a top team, there’s no doubt about it,” he said.
“They are oozing confidence, they’ve been doing very well. We’re expecting nothing but a tough game. It’s all up to us on how we neutralise them.”
“Our players know what is at stake and we also know. This is one game for me that will be a confidence booster, and for the players as well,” Zwane added.