Supersport United’s defensive flaws worrying Tembo ahead of Tshwane derby

Kaitano Tembo will be hoping to have fixed his side’s defensive errors ahead of the Tshwane derby against Mamelodi Sundowns at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday.

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This is after Matsatsantsa’s sloppy defending saw them rewarding Marumo Gallants with their first victory of the season, losing 2-1 to the Limpopo based team at the Lucas Moripe Stadium last weekend.

SuperSport had taken an early lead through striker Thamsanqa Gabuza, before Gallants fought back with goals from Sede Dion and Lerato Lamola.

“We didn’t defend well, the two goals we conceded, we could have done better defensively. But on the balance of play, Marumo Gallants deserved to win. They came here and fought, they really worked hard for the result. Congratulations to them,” said Tembo.

Ahead of the Downs clash, Tembo will be without Buhle Mkhwanazi, who got injured during the Gallants tie, and he is sweating over the fitness of midfield maestro Teboho Mokoena, who was also subbed during the previous game. The SuperSport coach says the midfielder has played a lot of football in the last weeks having also been doing duty for the senior national team Bafana Bafana.

 “Buhle got injured, I am not really sure about the extent of his injury. But with Tebza (Mokoena), he has been playing a lot of football, the travelling. He never really had a break, you could see in the first half he was a little bit sluggish, very slow and slow and looked fatigued. That is why we had to take him off and protect him as well. That is why we took him out at half time, because we have to think long term, there is still a lot of football to be played.”

Mokoena is one of the key players in the Matsatsantsa team, with 11 games under his belt so far this season. He has also scored two goals, while recording one assist. His presence makes a huge difference in the SuperSport team, and it is vital for Tembo to have him in his team going up against a star studded Sundowns.