There will be no added pressure on SuperSport United players when the defending Absa Premiership champions and log leaders host second-placed Orlando Pirates in what has been billed as ”the league decider” at Loftus on Thursday night. Kick-off is at 7.30pm.
That was the word from United coach Gavin Hunt as he gears up for what promises to be a bigger clash than a cup final.
But said Hunt: ”Every game we have played this season has been a big game for us. This is no different to all the other games. We simply need to go out and do our business the way we have been doing and we will be fine. As regards pressure I will not put my players under extra stress. This is just like any other game.”
But even a draw for defeat for United would not end Hunt´s quest to win back-to-back league titles.
Said the United coach: ”We need six points from our remaining three games [including Pirates] and that will be enough to retain the league title. ”But I want to win all three and end the season with a big bang.”
United have 53 points, second-placed Pirates are on 47 and third-placed Kaizer Chiefs have 44 points. Both Pirates and Chiefs have a match in hand, but that is against each other when the two giants meet in the Soweto Derby at Ellis Park on May 2.
Said Hunt: ”I am not even thinking about what points Pirates can drop. We simply have to play to our potential and the rewards will come.”
Hunt has a high regard for Pirates and their coach Ruud Krol. ”Pirates are a quality side. Krol has got them well organised and they will be formidable opponents. But having said that I am not going to worry or lose sleep over individual players. I will play them as a team.”
Former club captain and Hunt´s highly rated defender, Ricardo Katza, returns after months on the sidelines with serious injuries sustained earlier this season. The experienced former Bafana Bafana defender comes in for suspended central defender Morgan Gould, who picked up his third yellow card in the 0-0 draw against BidVest Wits at Milpark last week and will serve an automatic one match ban.
Hunt believes playing at Loftus will benefit his side more. He will be able to use his two speedy and skilful wingers, Daine Klate and Elias Pelembe, to good effect on the wide pitch.
Said Hunt: ”We will put the width of the pitch at Loftus to good use against Pirates. The wider pitch suits us.” Klate and Pelembe will be asked to fire in crosses for strikers Glen Salmons and Anthony Laffor.
Players that Hunt will keep a close eye on are Bucs midfield magician Teko Modise, and strikers Katlego Mashego and Siphelele Mthembu. Mashego, who joined Bucs from United in the January transfer window, has admitted in previous games where he has scored against his former club, that facing his former teammates helps motivate him.
Krol, the former Dutch captain and star defender is calm and collected and has never tried to raise expectations. But he knows this is a make or break game for his side as a draw or defeat would end their title ambitions.
Chiefs travel to Durban´s Absa Stadium to play their ”home” match against Mamelodi Sundowns in another big game on Thursday (7.30pm).
Said Amakhosi coach Muhsin Ertugral: ”We have been like wandering gypsies this season with no home ground and that has affected our performances. But overall we have done pretty well considering our home ground, Loftus, being unavailable for most of the season. We are still third and in with a mathematical chance of winning the league. But we have to win our remaining four games starting with Sundowns.”
In Thursday´s other fixture Ajax Cape Town host relegation candidates Thanda Royal Zulu at the Newlands Stadium. Kick-off is also at 7.30pm.
Ajax will also feature in the Nedbank Cup semi-final against First Division giant killers Pretoria University at Milpark on Sunday at 3pm. — Sapa