Second-tie University of Pretoria will be looking to upset the top-tie side Moroka Swallows when the two clash for a spot in the quarterfinals this evening at Tuks Stadium.
The Pretoria side had an impressive showing when they knocked out Cape Town Spurs 1-0 through Delano Abrahams’ penalty to book their spot in the last 16.
AmaTuks will be aiming to build from a 2-1 win over Hungry Lions despite playing with 10 men after Nalekgene Mampuru received a red card in the 56th minute.
They have been in fine form this season and having the home advantage in this match, they stand a better chance of winning this clash having lost only one game at home this season. The home side is currently on a 13-match unbeaten run.
Tlisane Motaung’s side is currently second on the Motsepe Foundation Championship log separated by one point from log leaders Magesi FC.
They are earmarked for a promotion to the DStv Premiership next season having been the team with the least number of defeats as well as goals conceded in their current season campaign. They have suffered three defeats and conceded 14 goals in 21 games. We look to see if they can shoot down the Birds and qualify for the next round.
Swallows, on the other hand, experienced all sorts of problems when they received a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Sekhukhune United on Saturday, before that, they played a 1-1 draw against Amazulu.
They are desperate to get back to their winning ways having gone 12 matches without an outright victory and a win against AmaTuks would be a good start in their bid to fight off relegation.
The Birds experienced difficulties when they faced Platinum City Rovers who are currently at the bottom of the first division log in the first round of the competition and progressed through a 3-1 win via penalty shootouts.
Written by Siphesihle Soni