Free State Stars will pose a bigger problem for title chasing BidVest Wits than defending Absa Premiership champions SuperSport United.
That was the opinion of Wits head coach Roger de Sa, ahead of the Students’ Premiership clash against Stars at their Milpark stronghold on Wednesday night (8pm), and against SuperSport at the same venue on Saturday night, also at 8pm.
Said De Sa: ”With SuperSport it is easier to plan as you get to see more of their games and I know their players better, having watched them a lot more than I have watched Stars players this season.
”To be honest I am a bit in the dark as to what to expect from Stars on Wednesday night.”
De Sa admitted he was disappointed after the Clever Boys surrendered their unbeaten league record losing 1-0 at home to struggling Mpumalanga Black Aces last Wednesday night.
”It had to happen [losing] some time. No teams goes through a season without losing game here and there.
”But all credit to Aces who fought hard and got their reward against us.”
De Sa said it was still early days, but the next two home games will be crunch affairs.
”We are still up there with the leaders. If I am in the same position at the end of the season where we are fighting to win the championship, I will be more than happy.
”I am not going to get to upset with our first defeat. We have to go out on Wednesday and on Saturday and bounce back.”
Stars have been playing musical chairs with coaches this season, but De Sa said while the Bethlehem-based side were a closed book in many departments, he was wary of their attack.
”They have four top quality strikers. I have been impressed with their attack on the occasions I have watched them.”
Sthembiso Ngcobo is one of the strikers De Sa will be keeping an eye on.
Ngcobo was brought into the Bafana Bafana squad by out of favour former national head coach Joel Santana, and he will have a point to prove to new Bafana head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.
The other key striker for Stars is their Zimbabwean import Kingston Nkhatha, who will also be closely watched by the Wits defence where Justin Millar and skipper Tefu Mashamaite, have been outstanding.
Stars have picked up only one point form their last two matches — their 2-2 away draw against Santos last week after losing at home 1-0 to Platinum Stars the previous week.
Stars are sitting in the bottom half of the table with 10 points from 11 matches while the Clever Boys are perched in fourth place on 18 points. — Sapa