CAPE Town City FC hope to top the Absa Premiership standings by the end of the day.
They can only do that by defeating current leaders, Baroka FC, in their Absa Premiership clash, which promises to be a battle of coaches between Kgoloko Thobejane and Benni McCarthy.
The Citizens host Bakgaga in this top-of-the-table clash at the Cape Town City Stadium tonight (6pm).
The encounter was initially scheduled for 7.30pm but this was changed due to stadium issues.
Despite leading the table, Baroka are without a win in their last three league matches and will be hoping to use the Citizens clash as a springboard.
Baroka drew 1-1 with AmaZulu, lost 1-0 to defending PSL champions Bidvest Wits and drew 1-1 with second placed Golden Arrows.
The last time the Polokwane side won a league encounter was two months ago when they humbled Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 at FNB Stadium.
City are third in the table with 15 points from 10 games.
A win for City will see them on 18 points, while victory for Baroka will elevate them to 20 points.
For McCarthy’s City to leapfrog Baroka, should they win, Orlando Pirates will have to do them the big favour of beating second placed Golden Arrows when the teams meet at Orlando Stadium tonight (7.30pm).
City come into this clash on the back of a 1-0 win against Free State Stars two weeks ago.
But Bafana Bafana legend McCarthy must not expect an easy clash, as Baroka will be gunning for a return to winning form and determined to maintain their top spot.
McCarthy will put his trust in his experienced players such as captain Robyn Johannes, Teko Modise and Lehlohonolo Majoro to upset Baroka.
Thobejane, meanwhile, got a big morale boost with the return of his star players from injury.Thobejane will have Siphelele Ntshangase back after he missed four league matches with influenza. Also back are Mpho Kgaswane and Talent Chiwapiwa, while Lewis Macha and Richard Matloga are still out with an assortment of injuries.
Baroka will also be relying on striker Gift Motupa to continue his current scoring form. Motupa, who is on loan from Pirates, has scored five goals for Baroka so far this season.
Baroka chief executive Morgan Mammila says they expect to walk away with full points against City.
“They are not a difficult team to beat,” Mammila said on Monday.
“We know them well, they are easy to predict. They can only defeat you in the run of play. I don’t doubt our abilities to score in this one.”
He says it’s time to collect maximum points after too many draws: “Only Golden Arrows and Bloemfontein Celtic and Baroka have recorded three back-to-back wins this season. The wheel keeps turning.”
