Could Tshwane derby be a perfect game for SuperSport to bounce back?
JOBURG - SuperSport United look to fancy a return to winning ways at the expense of Mamelodi Sundowns in this Tshwane derby of the Absa Premiership.
Fresh from their 4-1 drubbing by less fancied Polokwane City, SuperSport United hope to bounce back in their Tshwane derby with Absa Premiership log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
United coach, Gordon Igesund, told a packed press conference at the offices of the Premier Soccer League that the loss to City was water under the bridge, and his team was ready to use the derby as a perfect opportunity to bounce back.
“I am confident the boys will do all they can to win this,” said Igesund, dismissing suggestions that a loss in the derby would increase speculation about his future at the club following a string of poor results.
Many in the media have compared the quality and calibre of players at Igesund’s disposal as only second to Sundowns, and wonder why he still struggles to regularly collect maximum points in matches that could be considered must-wins.
“All the teams go through a spell and I guess this is our own spell at the moment,” he said.
“I am under no pressure at all as we’re still building the team for the coming season but I am confident we’re on the brink of a comeback.”
Recent SuperSport signing, former Pirates midfielder Mark Mayambela could be thrown into the thick of things in this game. “Most of my walking wounded have returned from injury but I believe the inclusion of Mayambela could trigger the turnaround of the team,” Igesund said without definitely confirming he would play.
Although Igesund admitted that the Tshwane derby could not match its Soweto counterpart, Chiefs versus Pirates, Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane said this derby was known for its high scoring. “Our derby is well-known for goals and I can safely say here that there will be plenty of them come Saturday night,” he said.
Mosimane added that his team was not lucky when it came to being awarded penalties. “I long for just one penalty. I don’t want too many but just one, unlike my counterpart at Chiefs [Steve Komphela] who seems to get them more often. I think refs must come to the party too for Sundowns,” Mosimane suggested.
