Chumani Butsaka is looking forward to feeling the support of the Maroon Army again when Stellenbosch FC plays at home for the first time this season.

Having taken the opening home game to Durban due to logistical issues, Stellenbosch FC will play in Cape Town for the first time this season when they host Marumo Gallants at Athlone Stadium on Friday evening.

Pre-match facts and stats: Stellenbosch FC vs Polokwane City

Speaking ahead of the match, Stellies midfielder Chumani Butsaka shared his excitement at the prospect of playing in front of a home crowd again in the Western Cape.

“We’re looking forward to tomorrow’s game,” Butsaka said. “It’s our first game at home, and we’re excited to try to put on an entertaining performance for the fans.

“They are an extra player for us. When we’re down, they’re the ones who pull us up, so I think they will play a big role, and we’re in Cape Town, so it’s important that the opponents feel it.”

The team from the Winelands head into the match against Gallants on the back of an entertaining mid-week draw against Polokwane City, which Butsaka reveals has given the team confidence moving forward.

Read | Kwayiba promises more goals after opening Stellies account

“Marumo Gallants are a good team, but we’re up for the challenge,” he said. “We showed in the last game against Polokwane City that we can create a lot of chances and score from them.

“If we can keep doing that and avoid conceding as easily, we’ll have a good chance of coming away with all three points.

“Scoring three goals away from home last time, and finding the goals to come from behind twice in the match, was a big confidence booster for us and shows that we have the right character.”

The Betway Premiership fixture between Stellenbosch and Gallants is scheduled to kick off at Athlone Stadium at 19h30. The match will be broadcast live on SuperSport PSL 202, and tickets are available at R40 from Webtickets outlets.