Ordinarily, especially with the kind of business SuperSport United did during the transfer window to beef- up their squad, tonight’s Telkom Knockout last-16 clash against Polokwane City would be a total mismatch.
However, with Matsatsantsa’s recent free-fall, no one can disregard that there could be a major upset on the cards, when Kosta Papic and his men host the defending champions in their backyard.
And as far as the formbook goes, there is not much separating these two sides.
SuperSport, under former Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund, who is in his first full season with the Tshwane club after replacing Cavin Johnson four matches into the 2014-15 campaign, have punched way below their weight considering the quality in the team. They find themselves in 13th place on the Absa Premiership table, having suffered three defeats in a row and now looking for redemption.
Polokwane City are one spot above Matsatsantsa, thanks to a slightly better goal difference, which does not inspire confidence either.
Maybe it will be raining goals at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Igesund has admitted he is under pressure to deliver and is desperate to turn things around with a win away from home after a 3-1 thrashing by Platinum Stars at the weekend.
“We know that we are a better team than what we are producing at the moment. We just haven’t clicked at this stage,” the embattled coach said.
“I feel like the players are trying too hard. They are desperate to win and this is now hindering us.
“I’m not one to hang my players out to dry in the media. I look at it and say we need to get ourselves back up again and ready for the next game.
“That’s what we have to do, get a win under our belt sooner rather than later to instill confidence back in the players.”
Although they have been as poor as SuperSport by virtue of an identical start to the season – winning only one of their six Premier League matches – City have proved to be a tricky customer against the so-called big guns.
They recently held Kaizer Chiefs and bitter rivals, Orlando Pirates, to draws in league matches at the same venue as tonight’s clash.
“I am very disappointed with the results because we work very hard.
“On TV they told me that we had absolutely dominated the game against Platinum Stars but we couldn’t convert our chances, and with our aerial strength and experience at the back we should have dealt with their attacks,” Igesund said about the weekend’s defeat.
“We are making elementary mistakes and it is frustrating.”
l Steve Komphela was understandably pleased with a debut goal for Edward Manqele last weekend, but suggested it would be some time before Kaizer Chiefs fans see the best of the bustling forward.
Manqele netted on debut against Ajax Cape Town in the 1-1 league draw on Saturday after a lively first half performance in which he created numerous opportunities with his pace and clever angle of running.
But it was noticeable that he faded in the second period, his goal notwithstanding as he poked the ball home from six metres.
Manqele has had trouble with his weight and fitness in the past and Komphela says he is not yet at the optimum level having spent large periods over the last few years on the sidelines.
“With Eddie it is a question of game-time. We all know the history of Eddie, but the quality far surpasses the time he was out of the game,” said Komphela.
“He showed his quality and movement in the first half, the legs were fresh. But as time goes, the legs start to tire, your speed slows and your thinking goes. That will get better.
“But based on the time he spent on the field he gave what Chiefs deserved.”
He will hope to get another opportunity to impress when Chiefs tackle Platinum Stars in the Telkom Knockout last-16 on Sunday. — Additional reporting by Nick Said
Polokwane potent mix
However, with Matsatsantsa’s recent free-fall, no one can disregard that there could be a major upset on the cards, when Kosta Papic and his men host the defending champions in their backyard.
And as far as the formbook goes, there is not much separating these two sides.
SuperSport, under former Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund, who is in his first full season with the Tshwane club after replacing Cavin Johnson four matches into the 2014-15 campaign, have punched way below their weight considering the quality in the team. They find themselves in 13th place on the Absa Premiership table, having suffered three defeats in a row and now looking for redemption.
Polokwane City are one spot above Matsatsantsa, thanks to a slightly better goal difference, which does not inspire confidence either.
Maybe it will be raining goals at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Igesund has admitted he is under pressure to deliver and is desperate to turn things around with a win away from home after a 3-1 thrashing by Platinum Stars at the weekend.
“We know that we are a better team than what we are producing at the moment. We just haven’t clicked at this stage,” the embattled coach said.
“I feel like the players are trying too hard. They are desperate to win and this is now hindering us.
“I’m not one to hang my players out to dry in the media. I look at it and say we need to get ourselves back up again and ready for the next game.
“That’s what we have to do, get a win under our belt sooner rather than later to instill confidence back in the players.”
Although they have been as poor as SuperSport by virtue of an identical start to the season – winning only one of their six Premier League matches – City have proved to be a tricky customer against the so-called big guns.
They recently held Kaizer Chiefs and bitter rivals, Orlando Pirates, to draws in league matches at the same venue as tonight’s clash.
“I am very disappointed with the results because we work very hard.
“On TV they told me that we had absolutely dominated the game against Platinum Stars but we couldn’t convert our chances, and with our aerial strength and experience at the back we should have dealt with their attacks,” Igesund said about the weekend’s defeat.
“We are making elementary mistakes and it is frustrating.”
l Steve Komphela was understandably pleased with a debut goal for Edward Manqele last weekend, but suggested it would be some time before Kaizer Chiefs fans see the best of the bustling forward.
Manqele netted on debut against Ajax Cape Town in the 1-1 league draw on Saturday after a lively first half performance in which he created numerous opportunities with his pace and clever angle of running.
But it was noticeable that he faded in the second period, his goal notwithstanding as he poked the ball home from six metres.
Manqele has had trouble with his weight and fitness in the past and Komphela says he is not yet at the optimum level having spent large periods over the last few years on the sidelines.
“With Eddie it is a question of game-time. We all know the history of Eddie, but the quality far surpasses the time he was out of the game,” said Komphela.
“He showed his quality and movement in the first half, the legs were fresh. But as time goes, the legs start to tire, your speed slows and your thinking goes. That will get better.
“But based on the time he spent on the field he gave what Chiefs deserved.”
He will hope to get another opportunity to impress when Chiefs tackle Platinum Stars in the Telkom Knockout last-16 on Sunday. — Additional reporting by Nick Said
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