Premier Soccer League champions SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt believes his side will retain their Absa Premiership title this season.
A drained Hunt was speaking at the Super Stadium after his side were knocked out of the MTN 8 by Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday night on the away goal rule after an epic semifinal that ended with United winning 3-2.
But a goal by Lerato Chabangu two minutes from the end of extra time levelled the game 4-4, giving the Brazilians a place in the winner-takes-all R8-million final on September 21.
Downs coach Trott Moloto said United were a top-class side and described the match as the best he had been involved in as a coach or player.
”It had everything,” said a relieved and smiling Downs coach.
Downs won the first leg at the same venue last weekend 2-1 which was the top eight holders’s home match. Both teams use the Atteridgeville venue as their home grounds.
United were the better side on the night and were leading 3-1 late into extra time when striker Fikru Teferra — with only keeper Brian Baloyi to beat — fluffed his shot.
Moloto lavished praise on his side’s fighting spirit.
But Hunt took the defeat on the chin: ”Tefera should have sealed the game for us, Salmon had a chance to score early in the second half when he had an open goal and hit the crossbar when he should have side-footed the ball into the back of the net. But having said all that, it was a great game.
”I do not think I have ever been so down after winning a game. But life goes on and if we play with this commitment and dedication we will retain our league title. The key here is how my players react after going out of the cup. I want to see a positive reaction from them.”
”We were the better side. We played Sundowns off the park, but we are not in the final. It is frustrating but we need to show character by bouncing back in our next
match against States.”
United open the defence of their Premiership crown against Free State Stars at the Super Stadium on Saturday.
Moloto said the win was a huge morale booster ahead of Sunday’s opening league game against Bloemfontein Celtic at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium on Sunday.
But Moloto was sporting in his praise of United: ”I thought United played superbly. They are not the league champions for nothing. We had a game plan and it was a winner. We won when it counted most. We showed we have the spirit and character to go on and succeed this season. I’m delighted by the way my players refused to give up. We showed we are
physically stronger and fitter and ready for the league season. Bring it on.”
The match will go down as classic derby between these two fierce rivals. Both players had a player sent off by referee Charl Theron. Downs lost defender Robyn Johannes in the 60th minute and United were
reduced to 10 men when substitute Letladi Madubanya was booked twice in the 10th minute of coming on and saw red in the 83rd minute.
So did Hunt. ”Madubanya is young but he is going to get a piece of my mind for the stupid sending off.”
Theron had a night he would rather forget. The match official needed Hunt and Moloto’s help to stop a mass brawl in the 38th minute when Downs defender Shere Lekgothoane hacked down United winger Anthony Laffor. The Liberian player had an epileptic fit and was rushed to hospital. – Sapa