Soccer
Composure to play key role for Platinum Stars─── 11:39 Fri, 01 Aug 2014
Lee Khotlele
Bloemfontein - The Premier Soccer League (PSL) season gets underway this weekend with the MTN8 quarter-final matches. The defending champions, Platinum Stars are upbeat about their chances against the league champions.
Stars captain, Vuyo Mere, said less mistakes but more composure will play key role in their quarter-final against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday afternoon.
Dikwena, who clinched the title last year after beating Orlando Pirates 3-1 on penalties after 1-1 tie at the end of extra time, get their 2014/15 football season underway with a trip to Loftus Stadium in Pretoria to defend their title.
They face the Brazilians in the second match of the tournament and Mere admitted it is going to be a tough challenge.
He said playing for a team like Stars comes with pressure, especially as they are the title holders.
“It’s not going to be an easy game, but we’ve set standards for ourselves. Sundowns are a good side. They’re the league champions, and have good players. However, we also have a good enough side to compete,” Mere told OFM Sport.
“We cannot afford slip ups and to miss scoring chances against a side of Sundowns’ calibre. We need to make sure we convert all the chances we create, in order to win.”
“Our mandate is to defend our title this season, so we just need to take that pressure and go out there and display a good game of football, accompanied by goals,” Mere explained.
“In order to be the best, you need to beat the best, so we have been preparing well for the challenge and we’re looking forward to Saturday.”
In other fixtures, Bloemfontein Celtic will face Wits in Johannesburg tonight at 20:00, while Pirates will host SuperSport United at Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening at 20:15.
Kaizer Chiefs will host Black Aces on Sunday afternoon at the FNB Stadium, with kick-off at 15:00.
Former Pirates striker Ndumiso Mabena and former Wits midfielder Letladi Madubanya are amongst the new signings unveiled in Rustenburg on Thursday for the new season.
Meanwhile, Dikwena also unveiled Acelli as their technical sponsor, replacing Umbro, who had been part of them for the past few seasons.
“We have outdone ourselves this season, together with Acelli, with the current strip that we have put together. We’re happy and looking forward to the new season,” said Tebogo Mochadibane, the club’s media officer.
