Sekhukhune United Football Club will return to action this weekend after a month and a half break.
Babina Noko will be traveling to the North West Province for the Nedbank cup last 32 assignment against GladAfrica Championship side, Platinum City Rovers at Olen Park Stadium in Potchefstroom, Saturday afternoon. Kick-off for this encounter will be at 15h00.
The last DStv Premiership fixture for Babina Noko was against Chippa United on the 22nd December 2021 at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Gqeberha. Babina Noko came back with a point from that encounter.
It will be the second appearance for Babina Noko in the Nedbank cup last 32. As they were part of the 2020/21 Nedbank cup last 32 and were eliminated by Maritzburg United. The Team of Choice managed to advance to the Nedbank Cup last 16 after they’ve registered a 2-1 victory over Sekhukhune United with the goals coming from Tebogo Tlolane 46’, Sibusiso Hlubi 70’ (Sibusiso Mbonani 90’)
While Platinum City Rovers knocked out Cape Town Spurs in a Nedbank Cup preliminary round fixtures following a 3-2 win after extra-time at Olen Park to advance to the last 32.
Head Coach Macdonald Makhubedu had some fond memories of the Nedbank Cup, having himself previously guided Sivutsa Stars to the last 16 of the 2011 tournament. Makhubedu was also in charge of second-tier side Acornbush United in the 2017 Nedbank Cup.
Babina Noko assistant coach, Thabo Senong said that they are looking forward for the restart of the season as they had an interesting campaign in the first round with some interesting positive takeaways. He further mentioned that it’s all work in progress and they are still working on some combinations such as final third play and on how to play better in the opponent half. Defensively, the team looks solid but they need to continue working hard to make sure that they improve on defensive organisation coupled with discipline and co-operation.
The players including the new signings have responded very well and the combinations are getting better. Thabo concluded that the entire technical staff, analysis and physical department have been working hard to make sure that they prepare the team that will help them to finish second round strongly.
The question remains: will Babina Noko be able to advance into the next round of the Nedbank Cup?
