SuperSport United are up for the challenge of winning their third straight Absa Premiership title when they resume their league campaign against Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night. Kick-off is at 8pm.
With six matches to go and leading second placed Mamelodi Sundowns by three points as the league heads into the final straight, the champions know what it takes to win the Premiership title for a third time.
Said coach Gavin Hunt: “We have the experience of having been in this position in the last two seasons.
“It will be tougher this time as we have a more difficult run-in, but we have the hunger and will to make it three in a row.
“The five week break was frustrating for me and my players, but it is like starting a new season — only this new season has only six matches and really tough.
“The break will have done some clubs good and others not. We will have to wait and see who benefits, but we are well prepared and raring to get back into action,” he said on Monday.
But Hunt knows this is a make or break match for Pirates’ slender hopes of getting themselves into a position to challenge for the title. Bucs are 10 points behind the leaders and a win could revive their slender title hopes.
“Pirates have nothing to lose and will be a tough nut to crack at home. They have a quality side and will have had time to think and reflect on what has gone on in the season, but no question, Pirates are a difficult hurdle.”
The Buccaneers could field their new midfield signing Isaac Chansa who rejoined the sided on Monday, after a spell with Swedish club Helsingborg.
He decided instead to return to Pirates and is available should coach Ruud Krol decide to field the Zambian international who played a key role in helping his country reach the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations in Angola.
Hunt will be hoping his Liberian striker, Anthony Laffor, comes to life in the last six matches. Laffor has been disappointing this season and needs to ignite in front of goals and come to the party during the final round of matches.
Hunt’s other main striker, Glen Salmons, has give good service while at the back his two Bafana Bafana central defenders, club captain Bongani Khumalo and Morgan Gould, will be looking to take care of whoever Krol decides to field in attack.
It will be two of Gert Schalkwyk, Terror Fanteni, Thulasizwe Mbuyane or former SuperSport star Katlego Mashego, who always enjoys playing against his old club.
Said Krol: “We know what is at stake and how important this match is to our season, so we will be ready.”
Sundowns, who have a match in hand, host Bloemfontein Celtic at the Super Stadium in what could be a tough 90 minutes for the much improved Brazilians.
Mpumalanga Black Aces will be fighting for their PSL lives when they meet BidVest Wits at Witbank’s Puma Stadium and with only 19 points to show from 24 matches played so far, Aces look doomed to drop back into the National First Division. Both matches at 7.30pm.
In Wednesday’s other fixture, fourth placed Santos will be hoping to keep their faint title hopes alive when they play Free State Stars at Goble Park. — Sapa