Dean Furman of Supersport United (Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix)
It has been a long time since Matsatsantsa first won the domestic season’s opening piece of silverware, way back in 2004, when Pitso Mosimane’s SuperSport beat Kaizer Chiefs in the final.
This time they are coached by Eric Tinkler, who ironically led Cape Town City to victory over SuperSport in last season’s Telkom Knockout final.
“It will certainly mean a lot to us to win (the MTN8) because SuperSport haven’t won it for a while so it is definitely something we want to put in our trophy cabinet,” said Furman this week.
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This is a busy time for SuperSport, who are also in the race to lift another piece of silverware in the form of the Caf Confederation Cup. The Pretoria team are currently in the semifinals of the competition, and played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg at home to Tunisia’s Club Africain. The Confederation Cup journey has been a long one for SuperSport compared to the MTN8, which can be won in the space of a few months.
“It is interesting when you compare the two competitions we are in at the moment. With the Confederation Cup we are going into our 16th game in 10 or 11 months since we began. And then you look at the MTN8, we are into our fourth game in three months and we are already in the final,” added Furman.
“(But) despite it being extremely short, in a way, it (the MTN8) is part of last season’s hard work so it is not exactly just the four games that get you the trophy.
“And it doesn’t take away from the prestige, obviously. To lift trophies is what we are here for and there would be no greater feeling than lifting the trophy on Saturday.”
The United captain, meanwhile, knows that getting a win against the Cape side won’t be a walk in the park for them.
“We have been preparing very well at training, knowing the kind of opponents we are playing against. They are a good team that play exciting football. But we are prepared for everything that is coming our way.”
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