In the only Absa premiership (PSL) encounter to be played on Tuesday night – Polokwane City will host Orlando Pirates at Peter Mokaba Stadium in the provincial capital.
Pirates striker, Thamsanqa Gabuza, will be eyeing a return to the field where he stormed off after he was booed by fans, two months ago.
The league games between Polokwane City FC and Orlando Pirates FC in the last two seasons ended in a stalemate.
The two outfits are in good form — with Pirates siting on the second spot — while City is in fourth position on the log. A win by either one of the clubs will see them move to top of the log. Pirates spokesperson, Thandi Merafe says they are optimistic that what happened to Gabuza will not happen again.
“We always want to do our best to make our supporters happy with that also come responsibility from our supporters to ensure that they respect the players and understand that this are human beings with feelings and families situation with Thamsanqa Gabuza the last time we were there was largely due to the booing that was happening from the stand and our appeal to the supporters such behavior is unacceptable.”
Merafe says that they want to cause an upset by beating Polokwane City for the first time in two seasons…
“Is an important game for us is the first league game to be played since the Soweto derby and we wanna continue with our winning form to collect three more points we haven’t really won against them all the matches so far ended in a stalemate we haven’t been able to defeat Polokwane City before it always ended in draws and that for us is motivation enough.”
Polokwane City’s Chief Operations Officer, Tincy Tema says the players are on form and ready to face the Buccanners.
“We are very much ready actually more than ready the results are showing we are happy with what we are seen and the boys are doing well it’s gonna be a very tough game and I’m sure every body is looking forward to that game.”
Polokwane City is concerned about the low turn-out of fans during matches. Tema says they are trying their best to encourage fans to watch games at the stadium.
“That is not the problem of the only Polokwane City Football Club only I think when you look at the games played nation wide is only games where chiefs and Pirates are involved where you will find the stadium is almost full to capacity but is something that we are working on is a matter of time but as the club we are trying our best to make sure that people come to the stadium.”
Absa Premiership games will continue tomorrow with Mamelodi Sundowns playing against Free State Stars — while Kaizer Chiefs will host Black Leopards. -Michael Makungo and Beatrice Makgwale
